The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 621

Luke watched Max and Daniel play basketball for a while, then finally said, “If that day comes, you can try to talk me into it then.”

After dinner, Max got ready to leave with Anne. Anne made sure to say goodbye to all the elders, and Felicia did the same with Nate.

Just before they left, Hope handed Felicia a bracelet. The gift caught Felicia off guard and she stood there, unsure what to do.

Hope smiled kindly. “You’re family. Please, just accept it.”

Felicia knew what Hope meant. She was being treated as Max’s wife, as part of the Hawthorne family now. Deep down, Felicia didn’t think of herself that way, and she knew the Hawthorne family hadn’t really accepted her, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse Hope’s kindness.

Before Felicia could find the words, Max took the box from the butler and smiled at Hope. “Thank you, Grandma Hope. I’ll take it for her.”

Hope looked at him, her expression gentle but full of meaning. “Take care of each other. Live a good life.”

Max nodded. “I will.”

Felicia couldn’t say anything else, so she just thanked Hope softly.

Then Max and Felicia walked out, each holding one of Anne’s hands.

After they’d left, Rose noticed Luke still standing by himself. She walked over quietly.

“Luke, what are you still standing here for?”

Luke was good at keeping his feelings hidden, but Rose knew him too well. She could see the way he’d changed tonight.

When Max and Felicia used to visit the Gilbert house, Luke always claimed he was busy with work. Now, during the holidays, he couldn’t avoid them so easily.

There were still so many people around, so Rose didn’t press him. She just spoke gently. “If you’re tired, go lie down and get some rest.”

Luke nodded and headed upstairs without another word.

Nate pulled Wyatt aside for a quick word. “So, what’s going on with Max and Felicia?”

He hadn’t asked Felicia anything today, as it was their private business, but anyone could see things were tense between her and Max. They seemed to be together only for Anne.

Wyatt kept his voice low. “I think Max still wants things to work out. Anne is just a kid. Right now, Felicia’s only here for Anne’s sake. And Grandpa, you know what Max is like. He’d have to really admit he was wrong and genuinely try to win Felicia back. That’s not happening any time soon. We just have to wait and let things play out.”

Nate scoffed. “Like I want to worry about his mess. If it weren’t for Anne, I’d have told Felicia to leave him ages ago.”

…

In the parking lot, Max turned to Felicia. “Have the driver take your car home. You ride with me.”

Felicia didn’t argue. She just handed her keys to the driver.

Max got behind the wheel. Felicia and Anne climbed into the back.

Her birthday was the eighth, just a few days away.

Felicia and Max hadn’t been talking much lately—he hadn’t really consulted her about any of this.

She kept her voice even. “You already made up your mind. I don’t have anything else to say.”

“We’ll fly over on the sixth, one day early,” Max said. “If you want to invite anyone, let them know. I’ll have the jet ready.”

Felicia just nodded. She’d probably only invite Heather.

She glanced at her phone, then over at Max, her voice cool and steady. “Is there anything else?”

Max asked, “You staying with Anne tonight?”

Felicia answered, “Have someone get the next room ready for me. I’ll be sleeping there from now on.” She said it casually, like she was discussing the weather.

Max’s eyes darkened as he focused on her. “Why?”

Felicia paused her scrolling, not looking up. “No reason. That’s just how it is now.”

She set her phone down and went into the bathroom, leaving Max alone in the quiet room.