While various stories unfolded in Valentia, Marcus Bartz was in New York, attending physical therapy to regain mobility in his right leg. Years of treatment had followed that fateful March 19th, when a bullet had nearly cost him his life and severely damaged a tendon in his leg.“Marcus, you’re doin
After Peter’s long conversation with Albert, they returned to the sitting room where Catherine and Leonard were waiting. Peter excused himself, saying he was tired and needed to rest, adding that Mary was already asleep and he wanted to join her.When he entered their bedroom, he found that Mary had
The next morning, Mary woke up and glanced at her phone—it was 10:00 a.m. Peter was already up, working on his laptop. She watched him intently, her cheeks flushing as she admired him. He was wearing his frameless glasses, which gave him an effortlessly handsome look.Peter felt her gaze and turned
[In Valeria]"Grandpa, what could be so important that you made me let Maximus go alone?" Alexia asked, visibly annoyed."My dear, this news will brighten your day. Albert is at Catherine’s house, and we’re going to get him,” Judge Levett said with a sinister smile.“Wait… at the birthday party?” Al
Peter and Mary stepped into the garden, where Catherine, Albert, and Leonard were enjoying coffee.“My dears! We waited for you, but since you didn’t come out of your room, we decided to start breakfast,” Catherine said apologetically.“Sorry, Grandma! I was working, and Mary was resting,” Peter rep
While Leonard and Peter were reconciling as father and son, trying to leave the past behind, Catherine reluctantly had to put on a kind face. She kept thinking that if she didn’t maintain a cordial relationship with her grandson’s future wife, she’d have to say goodbye to spending time with her grea
Peter hurried past the table where Maximus and Alexia were talking, searching for a secluded spot where no one could overhear or interrupt him.“Marcus, what’s going on? Your email in the middle of the night caught me off guard.”“Peter, there’s something I need to tell you…” Marcus said, letting a
“Catherine, Mary, please, let the authorities do their job. I’m tired… It’s better for everyone this way,” Albert said, struggling to breathe steadily.“No, Grandpa! You didn’t do anything wrong! It was all your friend’s fault!” Mary sobbed uncontrollably.Standing at a distance, Alexia observed the
"Monday?""No, I mean… what’s the date?""August 15th.""What year?"She laughed softly, as if I were playing some kind of joke on her."2003… Peter, what kind of prank are you trying to pull? Come on, get out of the bathroom. I need to pee, and you’re taking forever. And don’t forget—we have the ap
After thinking it all through, I knew I couldn’t leave her alone. If something happened to me, all my wealth would go to her. My children would never be left unprotected, and she would never have to worry about money again. But that wasn’t enough. I didn’t want to leave her alone to raise our childr
Diana and Maximus stepped out of the room, both looking exhausted and worried. It was already 10:00 a.m., and there was still no news about Peter. Celeste had finally fallen into a deep sleep after drinking the tea they had brought her.Marcus and Valerie had left the hospital a few hours earlier to
"Just curious…""Hmm… Are you sure?""Yeah…"Peter had been wondering about this ever since he came across an old photo of himself standing next to Mary, who had pink hair at the time. Fate worked in strange ways. Celeste had always been there—she was the little girl in the corner of that very pictu
Celeste went back into the room, and Peter looked at her, his eyes softening."Come here… I want to hold you."Something in his gaze unsettled her, but without hesitation, she stepped closer."Do you know that since the moment I met you, you became my whole world? I still can’t believe you’re going
"What is it? Peter, I don’t understand… I’ve never asked you for anything. Well, except earlier, when I made you promise not to leave me alone with our kids. That alone would make me happy.""I know! But this time, I want to do things right… I mean, I’m a man, a proper man—I can’t keep doing things
Valerie and Alden kept chatting while the café prepared a salad for Serenity. Valerie was surprised at how well Alden already knew her daughter’s tastes.As she watched her future son-in-law, she realized her daughter had made a good choice. Guilt crept in when she thought about her initial reaction
Alden nodded. "Yes. And I know the history between them. But to be completely honest? I don’t care."That was years ago. You moved on with your life. My father did the same."As adults, the past shouldn’t dictate our present. I know it’s hard to ignore it, but to me, it’s not important."Valerie sig
Alden had gone to find a room for Serenity. He knew this wasn’t a hotel—it was a hospital—but sometimes, accommodations could be made for certain people. He figured it was worth a try.Marcus was right. Serenity had endured a six-hour flight without any breaks, and it was already past midnight. She