Chapter 0518
+25 BONUS
He paused, leveling a hard look at Marcus. “By the way, why the hell haven’t you killed Frank yet? Everything that happened–this whole mess–is because of him! Did you forget what he did to your family?”
“Don’t you dare bring up my family,” Marcus warned, wiping blood from his lip.
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten,” Peter spat, his voice rising. “I remember everything he did, Marcus. And if you don’t take care of him soon, I will–just like I’m dealing with Alexia.”
Marcus froze, stunned by the name. “What the hell are you talking about?” he shouted, his voice raw. “Alexia is dead!”
“No, my dear friend,” Peter said with venom. “She’s very much alive. Not kicking, maybe, but alive.”
Marcus stared at Peter, dumbfounded. His mind raced, replaying what he had just heard. Peter’s words hit hard because they were true. Marcus and Valerie had come to Valentia to avenge Peter’s supposed death, but somewhere along the way, they had lost focus. They had settled into a new life, adapting to the chaos of the present and forgetting the ghosts of the past.
Peter, leaning heavily against the car, opened the door and sat in the passenger seat. His body ached from the fight, and he found a flask in the glove compartment. Unscrewing the cap, he took a long swig before tossing it to Marcus.
Marcus caught it, spat some blood onto the pavement, and took a drink.
“I hope you’re satisfied with yourself,” Peter said, staring at him.
“You think I wanted to break your face?” Marcus retorted. “You’re the one who doesn’t understand.”
“Understand what?” Peter asked, his tone calmer but no less sharp.
“Valerie–Mary, whatever you want to call her–has already seen you. She’s starting to suspect you’re alive. It’s only a matter of time before she finds out the truth, whether someone tells her or she discovers it on her own.” Peter’s eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening me?”
“No, you idiot,” Marcus snapped. “I’m telling you that if she finds out I knew you were alive and kept it from her, she’ll drag me down with you. I won’t keep lying to her. I’ve had enough.”
“Then do whatever you want!” Peter shouted, his frustration boiling over. “I kept my distance for her sake, so she wouldn’t have a shock. But if you don’t care about that, go ahead and tell her I’m alive. See how that works out for you.”
Peter leaned back in the seat, rubbing his temples. “I’m leaving for Slovenia soon. Once Celeste recovers, I’m gone.”
Marcus’s hands clenched into fists. “Do you know what really pisses me off? Valerie is falling apart, and I’m tired of lying to her. Then I come here and find out you’re playing house with Celeste, acting like none of this matters. Does she even know there’s a woman who’s been waiting for you for years?”
Peter’s expression darkened. “Marcus, don’t you get it? Do you want me to go to Mary and do everything I haven’t done for years?”
“Peter…”
“My life isn’t with Mary anymore,” Peter said, his voice weary but firm. “Just look at us, Marcus. We’re old and worn out. I’m too old to be chasing ghosts.
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Chapter 0518
+25 BONUS
“I’ll always love her, and it hurts to say it, but she’s your wife now. Not mine. I’ll find the right moment to close that chapter of my life. I hope she’ll understand.”
Peter straightened up, placing the flask back in the glove compartment. “Go home, Marcus. Get your wounds cleaned up, and take care of your family. Don’t look for me again.”
Peter shut the car door, his tone final. “It’s almost morning Go home to your wife and children.”
