After breaking the big news to Catherine, the three headed to dinner. But what Mary didn’t expect was the surprise awaiting her at the garden table. It had been more than five long years since she’d last seen him. As she stepped out of the mansion, the sound of her voice caught Albert Preston’s atte
After a warm dinner, the temperature began to drop, prompting the five of them to retreat into the mansion. Leopold had already arranged for coffee to be served in the sitting room. With her pregnancy now revealed, Mary no felt need to hide her cravings. She declined the coffee and requested a glass
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
After that hug, Valerie walked over to Laura, Serenity's sister, with whom she'd developed a bit of a bond."Laura and beautiful Adele—I wish you both all the success in the world… You must finish your studies and use your degree. You're living proof that it's possible—and that's exactly what your l
The day had finally come—the Bartz family and the newly formed Palmer-Bartz family were leaving for Hesperia.Without meaning to, the three families found themselves gathered once again at the airport.Marcus was saying goodbye to Peter, who, due to his memory loss, only held onto the memories of th
While Valerie packed up their things for the move back to Hesperia, Peter was driving with Celeste and their little girls toward Willowcombe.He was taking her to see how the renovations on the house—where they'd soon be living—were coming along.Celeste was in the back seat with the girls, tending
Valerie was packing clothes into the suitcases, though she kept drifting off, thinking about the reason they'd come here in the first place.At first, everything had seemed simple—quick even. Within a few months, they'd be back in Hesperia. But it had already been over a year.Things hadn't gone as
After Maximus said goodbye to Pierre, he went back into the mansion and headed straight to his son's room. Paul was lying on his bed, facing away from the door."Paul, can I come in?" Maximus asked gently."You're already in, Dad… Are you here to scold me for something that happened years ago?" Paul
"That's right. I'd like to speak with him alone, if you don't mind, Mr. Evans.""I think you're misunderstanding something. Letting you into my home doesn't mean you get to decide whether I'm in the conversation or not. Still, I'm trying to be reasonable—and if Paul wants to speak with you alone, on
Not too thrilled about it, Paul left his room and headed toward the garden, where a man was already waiting for him—one who didn't look his age. And to be honest, the resemblance between young Paul and the man was unmistakable.As soon as he heard footsteps approaching, the man—already sipping a cup
Time had flown by. The Bartzes were about to leave, and with them, Serenity and Alden. In just a week, everything would change again. It was clear that once the Bartzes returned to Hesperia, the families in Valentia would start making moves too. As everyone already knew, Theodore would stay in Flor
She was still holding her bridal bouquet—hadn't even had the chance to toss it. And even if she had, there would've been no one to catch it, since the whole wedding had been so secret and closed-off.Mary walked behind him, trying to catch up. She didn't understand why he was so upset."Mary, there'