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
Peter and Mary returned home. She took a long nap while he drove. As he navigated the road, Peter couldn’t help but reflect on all the things that needed to be sorted out. A baby was on the way, and nothing would ever be the same. He needed to share the good news with someone, and there was paperwor
From that night onward, Peter asked Mary to sleep in the master bedroom. The request slipped out naturally, without much thought.That evening, after dinner, they went to their respective rooms. Peter took a bath, put on his pajamas, and lay on the bed. He realized the request had been too sudden—sh
Mary and Peter went to their appointment with the gynecologist. Everything was going well; the gestational sac had grown a few more millimeters, and everything appeared to be under control. They asked the doctor if it was safe to take long trips. Peter was overly cautious and didn’t want to miss a s
Catherine’s birthday had arrived. Peter had checked his schedule and ensured they could leave on Friday to avoid rushing. He was well aware he couldn’t drive too fast anymore. They packed their bags, and Agnes prepared a small bag of desserts and fruit for the journey—Mary couldn’t go without eating
After a couple of hours, Peter woke up feeling rested. The trip had exhausted him, and being with Mary always made him feel pleasantly drowsy. As soon as they’d arrived at Catherine’s house, all he’d wanted was to cuddle up with his beloved and take a nap.Mary was still asleep, but as Peter shifted
While the Palmer family enjoyed a quiet dinner in Lunavalle, events in Valeria were unfolding that would have a profound impact on Mary Preston.“Miss Levett, both my brother and I are innocent. We only want assurance that we can stop running,” said Camilla Preston.“Camilla, let’s be honest. You kn
Once the declarations were signed, Alexia instructed the staff working for Judge Levett to let the two Preston siblings leave for any destination they chose. She made the transfer and headed straight to her grandfather’s office.“Grandpa, I have excellent news! Albert Preston’s children signed the d
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