Camille and Emma arrived back at the house. Camille was quick to question Greta about the man who had left moments before. Greta, with her usual bluntness, replied, “Ethan's grandfather was here, but honestly, I didn’t understand much of what happened.”Camille and Emma exchanged a glance, their exp
“I don’t know, Emma. I don’t understand what you’re asking,” Valerie replied, shrugging helplessly.“Fine. I’ll tell you,” Emma said, her tone growing sharper. “I’m going to be blunt, but know that I say this with all the love a mother can give. Okay?”“Yes…” Valerie murmured, bracing herself.“Mary
After leaving Celeste's house, Peter drove to the lookout where he'd been with her before. He’d had to leave Mary's house quickly, knowing that if he stayed any longer, his feelings would overwhelm his reason—and that wouldn't lead to anything good."I had it easier when I didn’t remember anything,"
Peter understood that since the day Ethan was born, the boy had only ever seen him as a father. Alden might have been his biological father, but Peter was the one who had always been there, raising him. Of all the things Peter had considered, he hadn’t thought Ethan would react so strongly. He assum
Peter continued, his tone soft but firm. “Celeste, I want you to keep painting. You have a gift, and you need to nurture it. I’d love for you to take some courses, to practice more. For now, the only thing you should focus on is getting better.”“Peter… I don’t know how I’ll manage being away for a
Frank Levett had spent several years confined to a hospice reserved for those with no resources. Marcus Bartz had appeared as a generous benefactor, ensuring Frank was fed, cared for, and safe in exchange for a hefty check—a payment the staff deeply appreciated.After Marcus’s last visit to Frank, i
Peter watched as Celeste stepped out of the small house. The scene felt surreal. Not long ago, she had been in their home—her home. A place where she could live comfortably. And now, here she was, in the modest house he had given her as a gesture to make her happy. A house he had hoped she wouldn’t
“Fine. I’ll message you this evening.”“Good.”As she walked away, Peter felt a sharp pain in his chest. The Celeste he knew—the cheerful, loving woman who always seemed to glow—was gone. In her place was someone colder, someone distant. Peter was facing the full consequences of his decisions, and i
“Well, I don’t, Serenity. My life changed completely when I found out I was going to be a father. One day I was a broke kid, and the next, I was managing absurd sums of money, getting paid, and changing diapers.”“Sorry…” Serenity murmured, her tone softening."Sorry… what?" Alden asked, raising an
Alden and Serenity exited the Palmer Group building, the tension from their earlier “altercation” significantly eased. Serenity felt more comfortable around him now, while Alden, with his trademark charming smile, continued to catch the admiring glances of every woman they passed in the hallway. Ser
Maximus sighed. “Emma, I know I’m inexperienced. I’ve avoided hiring anyone because my younger kids have spent years in boarding school. I didn’t want them to be raised by nannies anymore. Besides, my eldest is 15, and Maurice is 8. They’re not little anymore.”“I’ve been thinking… I want to come ba
Maximus returned home after a long day, his thoughts weighed down by the countless decisions he had to make. As he walked through the house, he noticed his younger children quietly doing their homework at the dining table. Laura, as always, had stepped in to keep them on task. When he found her rest
“Peter… What else are you planning to do?”“Nothing. Just wait. My time, and Marcus’s time, is coming. He and I will have to pay for what we’ve done. But that, dear brother, won’t affect you,” Peter said, placing a hand on Maximus’s shoulder.“Damn it, Peter! What the hell are you going to do?” Maxi
“What kind of nonsense is this? Of course, I loved Mary! I still love her!”“Do you? Then why did you let Marcus take her? If you loved her, why didn’t you fight for her?”“Because it was what was best.”“For who, Peter? For you? For her? For Marcus? Because it sounds to me like you sacrificed your
Maximus arrived in Slovenia, where Peter’s driver was already waiting to take him to his brother’s grand estate. As they approached the enormous house, Maximus couldn’t help but admire its majesty, but he chose not to comment.“I hope your visit is short and that you’re not here to punch me in the f
After Maximus left for the airport, Alden began showing Serenity around the various floors of Palmer Group. Though Serenity typically carried herself with poise and confidence, she found herself faltering every time Alden looked her way. There was something about his presence, his composed demeanor,
“Serenity, at the office, I’m not your dad—I’m the boss,” Maximus said, frowning slightly as he downed his coffee in one gulp.“I know, Maximus! Now let’s get going, or I’ll be late for my first day as your assistant.”“Miss Bartz, today is your induction day. No one starts working without completin