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
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