Serenity’s voice softened, her emotions spilling into her words. “I grew up believing Peter was my father. When I met him, I let everything out—I talked to him, and then I let him go. It wasn’t fair to me, to him, or to Dad. And let’s not even get started on Maximus, who didn’t even know I existed u
Maximus and Laura returned home after their quick stop at the dessert shop. As Maximus unloaded their purchases in the kitchen for the cook to store, he froze at the sight of Serenity sitting in the living room, her suitcase beside her. His heart skipped a beat. Laura’s words earlier about Serenity
Valerie remained in the study long after Serenity had left. She felt a hollow ache in her chest, a deep guilt that weighed heavily on her. Her little girl was gone, and though she didn’t want to admit it, her daughter’s words rang true. She hadn’t handled Peter’s reappearance well. He had come into
“Can we?” Valerie asked softly, her voice trembling with vulnerability.“Yes. Yes, we can…” Marcus replied, his voice filled with certainty.They surrendered to a moment they had both longed for but thought might never happen again.[At Maximus’s house]In Laura’s room, she and Serenity sat cross-le
Maximus arrived at Mannheim Airport in Germany after a short hour-and-a-half flight. Waiting for him at his arrival was a driver ready to take him to Heidelberg. Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to the address where Magnus Evans lived. For a moment, he hesitated, but after gathering his thoughts,
“We started talking about work, but before we knew it, we were discussing life, her husband, and her family. That’s when I noticed a bruise on her right wrist, which she was trying to hide under her sweater sleeve. Your mother was five years younger than me, the same as your father. I remember telli
Maximus felt powerless as his thoughts spiraled. His mother—his beloved mother—had been destroyed by the man he had once admired as a role model. Clenching his fist, he slammed it down on the coffee table, imagining it was Leonardo beneath him. But blaming the man who had an affair with his mother w
"Sister? What the hell? What sister? What are you talking about?""Maximus, your mother, my Martina, was pregnant by your father. But in a fit of rage, he caused her to miscarry. She nearly lost her life. After that, she almost fell into a deep depression. Your father, seeing her in that state, and
“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