“Peter, I…”“Let’s go back to the house. You shouldn’t walk too far, especially on sand—it’s heavy on your legs and could strain the baby,” Peter said gently.The two began their slow walk back to the house. Peter held her hand firmly, making sure she didn’t stumble.“Well, now I need to take extra
After leaving Mary in her room, Peter went to his study and sat behind his desk for a long time. He stared at nothing, lost in thought about how life seemed to play tricks on him again and again. Mary had come back home, but now, she wasn’t the same girl who had arrived years ago. She wasn’t alone a
As the news of Mary’s pregnancy weighed on Peter, forcing him to make a difficult yet loving decision, in Valeria, Maximus visited Alexia at her apartment. He told her the divorce had been finalized, and he was now a free man.“That’s excellent news, love!” Alexia exclaimed, practically jumping with
Leonard Palmer became a widower when his sons were just 15 and 13 years old, a devastating blow to his heart. Martina Palmer had been his one true love. They had met when Leonard began working at Palmer Group, and she had been his unwavering support when he took control of the Preston & Partners Gro
Peter had improved his attitude when his grandmother arrived. He began to work on the subjects he was about to fail, so there were days that he stayed late in the school library.One of those many days, he passed by the art teacher's office. The light was on and peculiar noises could be heard from i
After hours of brooding in his study, Leonard made a difficult decision: He would send Peter to Galea, to an internment school for troubled youth. Without a word, Peter was pulled from his room, still in his pajamas, and taken to the institution. From that moment, Peter wouldn’t see his father again
Frank Levett was an unyielding judge, whose reputation over the years had become untouchable. Considered an exemplary citizen, his opinions carried weight both professionally and personally.Alexia’s parents, who for years had been passive observers of their daughter’s relationship with Maximus Palm
While several pieces were shifting in Valeria, Peter was taking Mary to her first appointment with the gynecologist in Galea.“Hello, Miss Preston, Mr. Palmer! You must be the one who emailed me at 12:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m., and multiple times after that, correct?”“Hello, Dr. Andrew Roman. Yes, that wa
After a few emotional minutes at Peter’s final resting place, Marcus Bartz gently urged Valerie to leave. The security team had signaled that someone was loitering nearby—a risk Marcus couldn’t afford.“My beloved Valerie, we need to go. It’s dangerous to stay here,” Marcus said, his eyes scanning t
After half an hour of driving, a convoy of three SUVs arrived at the entrance of Flavian Cemetery. From the lead vehicle stepped the striking couple, returning to Valentia after what felt like an eternity away.The man took the woman’s hand and helped her out of the SUV. A bodyguard handed them the
[In Ambervale, two decades later]In a private hangar at Flameco Airport in Eterna, a strikingly beautiful woman with long blonde hair descended from a sleek private jet. Ahead of her was a tall, commanding man with sharp, rugged features, his face partially covered by a neatly trimmed beard and a p
In Ambervale, two months had passed since Albert’s death, and Agent Count had finally uncovered key information related to Albert Preston’s arrest.“Mrs. Catherine, can we meet? I have something I believe will interest you. I’ve sent part of it to your email, but it’s imperative you see the rest in
Peter and Mary arrived home in Galea after their long journey. Mary was still fragile, so Peter had instructed the staff to provide her with all the help she might need. Agnes, ever attentive, had prepared a delicious meal, knowing the expectant mother needed nourishment. She felt it was her duty to
Maximus arrived in Valeria and went straight to see Alexia. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to face her anger, but he hadn’t expected to find her in loose clothing, her eyes and nose red from crying. When his gaze fell on her swollen belly, he felt like the most miserable man alive. She was the mother o
As Marcus learned of Albert Preston’s death, Catherine retreated to her bedroom, carrying the urn holding the ashes of the man who had been her last love. Meanwhile, Peter lay on the bed, gently stroking Mary’s hair. The soothing motion had helped her relax enough to sleep, so Peter remained still,
Marcus Bartz had just settled into a luxurious house along Coravela’s Arcfield Boulevard, overlooking the beach. The property offered stunning ocean views and was fortified with state-of-the-art security systems.It was a sprawling house for a man living alone, and his sudden arrival didn’t go unnot
Hours later, Catherine, Leonard, and Maximus returned to the mansion with Albert’s ashes in a beautiful white onyx urn. Catherine held it as if her life depended on it, her grip tight, her expression stoic. She longed to retreat to her room, where she could grieve in private. Life, it seemed, had de