The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 99

New Year’s Eve came around before anyone realized. Ava was up with the sun, getting all the ingredients ready for the holiday dinner. Colton and Greg took care of the cleaning, making sure the whole house felt fresh and festive.

Later that day, Luke showed up at the door, arms full of gifts and a few extra packages from Nate. Ava and Colton greeted him with genuine warmth, their smiles lighting up the entryway. “Felicia’s in her room,” Ava told him.

Luke nodded and headed down the hall. He knocked before stepping into the bedroom, finding Felicia propped up in bed, a knitting project in her hands. The scarf she was working on was small, the kind of thing made for a child, with a sweet strawberry pattern that looked extra soft and cozy.

Knitting had become her go-to way to pass the time lately. She glanced up when Luke walked in. “Hi Luke,” she said, her voice gentle.

Luke had given her a heads-up before coming, so she wasn’t surprised. He shut the door and moved closer, noticing the healthy color in her cheeks. She looked… well. “So, knitting to kill time?”

Felicia smiled faintly. “Recovery is honestly kind of boring. I have to keep my hands busy or I’ll go crazy.”

Luke settled onto the edge of the sofa, and for a while they just chatted, the conversation light and easy. Eventually, though, he couldn’t hold back his questions. “Did Max ask you for a divorce?”

The needles in Felicia’s hands stopped moving. She nodded. “Yeah. The papers are signed.”

Luke looked down, his fingers tightening a little. “Did he at least offer you anything? A settlement or something?”

Felicia let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Even if he did, I wouldn’t take it. I don’t want anything that isn’t mine. I never want to owe him.”

Luke didn’t push any further. He stayed for lunch, sharing a meal with the family, and before he left, Felicia handed him a bag. Inside were two little scarves, a tiny hat, a lucky charm she’d bought earlier, and a gold bracelet from Savannah.

Luke didn’t respond. Instead, he slid the bag over. Now it only held the hat and scarves. “Felicia wanted Anne to have these. She made them herself. Do whatever you want with them.”

Max looked through the bag, examined the little items, then put them back. He ignored Luke’s frosty tone. “How’s she doing?”

Luke didn’t look up from his game. “Funny you remember to ask," he said. "She’s fine. She has people who actually care about her.”

Max’s expression hardened. “Luke, do you hate me?”

Luke paused, meeting Max’s eyes. “I don’t hate you. I just think you’re heartless.” He glanced away, a wry smile on his lips. “But honestly, it’s not just you. The whole family is cold.”