Chapter 74

MAXWELL'S POV

I had never taken a day off before. Well, not for something like this. My days off were usually spent with endless piles of work and whiskey, and ended at the bar.

But this was different.

Hannah deserved something more from me. Something better. After that night, after seeing her surprise and excitement over that sketchbook and fashion book, it made me realize how little I truly knew about her. I’d been going about it all wrong, letting misunderstandings grow between us, not communicating—like Holly had pointed out. "Communicate, Maxwell," she’d scolded me last night after dinner, shaking her head like I was a hopeless case.

I didn’t want to be that guy anymore. The guy who didn’t care, who couldn’t see past his own pride. I had to do better. And maybe, today was my chance.

After all, it wasn’t every day I took time off from work to spend it with my wife.

The thought made me chuckle, but also left a knot in my chest. I wasn’t used to this—putting in effort that wasn’t w