There were always lots of photographers along this street.
One noticed them first and hurried over, grinning, camera ready. “Can I take a photo of you two? Free of charge. Honestly, you’re such a stunning couple, I couldn’t help myself. I’ve never seen anyone look so good together.”
Max’s response was calm and polite. “Thank you, but we’re married.”
The photographer’s face lit up even more. “No way, really? You’re perfect together. Please, just two minutes, let me take a couple of shots.”
Max glanced over at Felicia. “What do you think? Just a couple.”
The young woman’s hopeful eyes made it impossible to say no.
The photographer guided them to a spot where sunlight rimmed their silhouettes, throwing a glow around them that looked almost magical.
“Mr. Hawthorne, can you put your arm around your wife’s waist? That’s perfect. Now, look at her… Ms. Ross, look over here for me… that’s it…”
The camera clicked away.
Max took a look at the previews and smiled with genuine satisfaction. “Thank you. These are wonderful.”
“You’re both just so charming. Makes my job easy,” the photographer said, beaming.
Max offered his contact info. “But please don’t post these anywhere online. Someone will be in touch to buy the rights to the photos.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I would never share them without permission, and there’s no need to pay for copyright.”
They were about to leave when the photographer rummaged in her bag and pulled out a small, gray bunny plush toy, its ears flopping. “You look like you need a little lift today. This is for you.”
He caught her glance and grinned. “Want to try mine?”
She rolled her eyes, taking the drink he offered anyway. “Not interested.”
Right then, Anne’s face popped up on Max’s screen in a video call. She spotted both her parents and grew animated. “Daddy, Mommy, enjoy your date, okay?”
Anne hung up as quickly as she’d called, her giggle lingering.
Even as the sky started turning orange, Max made no move to leave.
He really didn’t seem like he planned to show up at Collin’s birthday party at all.

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....