Anne hopped into the car and immediately began showing off the three big presents she’d gotten.
Max smiled and said softly, “Let Mommy hold onto those for you, okay?”
Anne didn’t hesitate. She handed everything over to Felicia, who tucked the gifts into Anne’s little backpack, making sure each one was safe.
When they pulled up to Oakridge Estate, the whole place was decked out for holiday. The decorations were everywhere, dazzling and festive.
Inside, the living room looked like a treasure trove. There were custom plushies, gorgeous gift boxes, and even the deed to a house sitting among the piles. Most of the gifts were clearly meant for Anne and arranged in a way that was every kid’s dream.
Anne’s face lit up when she saw it all. She let out a squeal and hugged the largest plush doll, practically disappearing in its arms.
“Mommy, Daddy! Come help me open these,” she called, eyes wide with excitement.
Max stepped forward and sat on the couch, picking up a box and turning it over in his hands.
Felicia came over too, settling into the seat across from him.
Anne tumbled off the plush and ran to her mother, then waved to her dad, “Daddy, over here! Sit next to Mommy.”
Max glanced at Felicia, then got up and slid in beside her. He handed Anne the gift box he was holding, “This one’s from Mandy. You can open it yourself.”
Anne grinned and carefully unwrapped it. Right on top was a shiny New Year’s card. Inside she found a pair of diamond hair clips in the shape of bows, delicate and sparkly, and definitely handmade by Mandy.
She gasped. “Mommy, put them on me!” She pressed the clips into Felicia’s hands.
Felicia knelt to attach them, watching Anne’s eyes shine as she checked herself out in the reflection of her phone.
They moved on to the other gifts. Each one was extravagant—gemstones, jewelry, precious things worth more than most people saw in a lifetime. To Anne, though, they were just pretty treasures, no more special than shells she might find on a beach.
At last, Max picked up one final box, this one set aside.
Felicia sighed softly. She didn’t want such a small thing to ruin Anne’s mood today.
She turned to Max. “Give it to me.”
Anne piped in, “Let Daddy put it on you, Mommy!”
Felicia shook her head with a gentle smile. “I can do it myself.” She took the necklace from Max and fastened it around her neck with practiced fingers.
Anne’s eyes sparkled as she looked her mother over. “Mommy, it looks so good on you.”
Felicia laughed quietly, touching Anne’s cheek.
Then Anne spun toward Max, curiosity bubbling in her voice. “Daddy, Darin gave Mommy a present. What did you get Mommy?”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max)
Is this coming to an end...
Oh nooo!! Don’t tell me Max will get washed ashore on a remote island then loses all his memory, then falls inlove with the local girl who saves him. Then when he meets Felicia again he won’t recognize her and breaks her heart again. Additional plot twist is that Felicia is pregnant with their 2nd child. Please pleaseee don’t give us this scenario.. LOL!!!...
If Max can be forgiven Darrin can be forgiven. And I do not like this marriage business but if it has to happen I hope after he gets stranded on some remote island alone while Felicia and his family fight over custody she wins and also gets half his estate. Then by time he comes back she's found having and remarried. Lol...
The writer is good. They're making me interested in Max. I won't say like yet....
It seems the only one who hasn't suffered is Max. Even his family fakes anger and disappointment all their own doing so they suffer a little. Everyone else has suffered. Luke and Jeremy unrequited. Felicia has suffered the most from family to unrequited to romance to long suffering Mother. Even baby Anne never had a mother til Felicia suffered then came back only to suffer some more. lol...
Oh no what did Colton do?... I have a bone to pick. When Olisha had to go the hospital why beg for Felicia? When she so loved Max? Seemed like she was in on the setup for Felicia to see a suicide for the 2nd time orchestrated by holden and his brother again. I might drop this series it's becoming endless with no real satisfaction for me. I don't need it to end because it's like a soap opera but if things don't end up making sense, tying up loose storylines it's gonna get old fast for me. Good luck author....
Anne, I think your baby brother is on the way. Thank goodness it doesn't say that Felicia is crying just like the last time but still, there's no willingness on her part. Max! You need to try harder. Make her fall in love with you again....
The writer did a big one with Jeremy's speech to Max. He said almost everything that needed to be said. I have wanted Felicia or someone who knows the past to just tell that whole stinking family what they did and how disgusting they are and what they're doing now how unfair it all is to Felicia. A pity it was only Max but he really needed to hear this (plus more)....
I love the chase of this novel, how you’ve build each of the characters. They almost seem like real. I feel like I know them irl. But however I would like to know what’s max’s pov and what’s going on in his head. I truly believe max’s just a grey character. And also please please please update more!!!...
I was really hoping that Max and Felicia would end up together, but why did Max do that to Felicia? 😭 Is that his way of making Felicia overcome the trauma Holden caused her? I don't think that's helping at all. I just hope Max's character has some redeeming qualities in the coming chapters....