The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 598

The sun was gone by the time they made it back to the villa with the kids.

Felicia took Anne for a bath, helped her into fresh clothes, then joined the others out on the balcony. The four of them sat together, sea breeze in their hair, barbecue on their plates. For a while, it felt like nothing else mattered. No worries, no stress, just laughter and the sound of the waves.

After dinner, they sprawled in the living room, half-watching TV, half just enjoying the peace.

Suddenly, Anne looked up at her mom. “Mom, can I call Dad for a bit?”

Felicia smiled. “Go ahead, sweetie.”

Anne disappeared into her room, fishing out her smartwatch just as Max’s call came through.

“Daddy!”

“Hey, Anne. Did you have fun today?”

“It was amazing! Mommy looked so pretty today, Daddy. Don’t you want to come see her?”

Max went quiet for a second. Then the two of them started chatting, voices soft and happy, catching up on everything Anne wanted to share. They talked for at least fifteen minutes.

By nine, both kids were wiped out, fast asleep in their rooms.

Heather was still up, sorting through photos from the day. She picked her favorites and sent them to Felicia. Then she posted a nine-photo collage to her feed: three shots of Felicia, three of the kids, a pretty landscape, a snap of dinner, and finally, a selfie of her and Felicia. In that last one, Heather leaned her head against Felicia’s shoulder, a look of pure contentment on her face.

Felicia spotted the post and glanced over at her, laughing. “Are you sure that’s your social feed? Feels like half those photos are of me.”

Heather grinned. “I’m just showing it off a little.”

Felicia just rolled her eyes, but the smile didn’t leave her face.

Almost instantly, the post started getting likes and comments.

Anthony: Who’s the gorgeous lady? Heather, you going to introduce us or what?

Savannah: Mr. Murray, did your power go out tonight? Remember to pay that electric bill.

Anthony: My house is bright as ever. Want to come see for yourself?

The next morning, Felicia scrolled through her feed, checking the likes on her post. That’s when she spotted a name that didn’t quite fit. Max.

She realized she’d never actually blocked him. Oh well. It didn’t really bother her.

She went to help Anne get dressed and ready for the day.

Meanwhile, over at the old Hawthorne family estate, Max pulled his car into the drive and headed inside. There were visitors in the living room. Mr and Mrs. Lisbon.

The last couple of days had been a disaster. Stories were everywhere, rumors swirling, and the company’s stock price had taken a hit. Since everything blew up, they’d lost control of the situation. There was already an official investigation underway.

No outsider should have been able to pull this off in the Capital, not without someone powerful clearing the way. There was no way Darin would have this kind of leverage alone.

No one could reach him at all.

Right now, their only option was to turn to the Hawthorne family.

“Max, you’re back,” Miranda called out.