Chapter 0129
+25 BONUS
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 replied casually, his arm wrapped protectively around Mary.
“It’s fine, Grandma. We’ll eat now,” Mary sald cheerfully, giving her grandfather a tight hug
“Don’t eat too much, though we’ll have lunch early Catherine said, motioning toward the garden being prepared for her birthday celebration.
“Peter…” Leonard’s deep voice broke the cheerful air,
“Yes?” Peter asked, looking up.
“I’d like to speak with you in the study after breakfast,” Leonard said, a hint of nervousness in his tone.
“Of course. Let me finish eating, and we’ll talk,” Peter replied calmly.
The conversation Peter had with Albert the previous night lingered in his mind. “Soon, you’ll be a father, and you’ll need advice from the man who brought you into this world,” Albert had said. Peter sighed as he took his seat beside Mary, replaying the elder’s advice: “You need to forgive.”
Shortly after, a cart appeared with coffee, French toast, and fruit for the couple.
“Oh, could you bring some milk as well? Mary’s been preferring that lately,” Peter asked the cook
“Of course, sir. I’ll bring it right away,” she replied.
Albert observed the couple, noting their easy affection and how well Peter seemed to know Mary’s needs. His doubts about Peter had all but vanished. While Catherine had warned him about Peter’s womanizing past, the way he cared for Mary was proof enough that he was trustworthy.
The five of them lingered at the table, chatting and laughing like old friends. Even Peter and Leonard shared lighthearted banter, as if the years of tension between them had melted away. Catherine could hardly contain her joy, seeing father and son finally engaging warmly.
Their moment of peace was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Maximus and Alexia.
“Grandma, I’m back,” Maximus announced as he entered, his eyes scanning the table and catching the sight of Peter and Mary.
“Of course, my boy. Have you had a chance to settle in?” Catherine asked, only half–turning toward him.
“Yes, Grandma.”
Hiding her discomfort, Catherine forced herself to be gracious and invited them to join the table.
“Take a seat!” she said, standing to ensure Alexia wouldn’t sit near Peter and Mary.
Mary stiffened at the sight of Alexia. Memories of her wedding day flashed back–when Alexia had
shown up uninvited to declare herself Mavinas’s trainer
Sensing Mary’s discomfort, Albert Intervened. My g, why don’t won for a deal? string ton Long has made my legs stiff
“yes, Grandpa! Let’s go!” Marys eagerly, remgroep him
Peter quickly stood and stepped in to support Albert
“Thank you,” Albert said, putting Peter’s shoulder And don’t forget to talle to your father.”
Maximus watched silently, forced to witness his ex–e’s new life unfold before his eyes.
“Maximus, Alexia, have you eaten yet?” Catherine asked courteously
“No, Grandma,” Alexia replied, slightly embarrassed
“Maximus, don’t you realize Alexia is pregnant? You need to take better care of her and the baby. You’re so careless!” Catherine scolded, her voice sharp.
Sorry, Grandma. We wanted to come straight here,” Maximus said, lowering his gaze
“Leopold! Leopold!” Catherine called urgently.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Please bring extra plates, coffee, fruit, and French toast for these two young ones.”
‘Right away, ma’am. I’ll let the cook know.”
“Maximus, you need to be more thoughtful. You’re not alone anymore. Maybe you should start reading some maternity books–like your brother Peter,” Catherine said without realizing the sting of her words.
Peter, noticing the tension, stood abruptly. “Father, you wanted to talk. Let’s go to the study.”
“Of course,” Leonard replied, standing as well. “Excuse us, everyone. It’s best to have this talk before the day gets too busy.”
“Alexia, I hope this insensible son of mine has at least shown you to your room. Eat and rest–it must have been a long, tiring journey,” Leonard said kindly
“Yes, sir. I’ve settled into the room that was available, Alexia replied politely.
Maximus sat in silence, torn between the pain of seeing Mary with Peter and the reality of his new life with Alexia. His thoughts swirled as he glanced at Alexa’s now–noticeable baby bump. He knew he had created this situation, yet nothing had prepared him for how it would feel.
Peter reached the study first and poured himself a glass of cognac. He needed something strong to brace himself for the conversation. He stood by the window watching Mary walk with Albert, her laughter lighting up the garden. Thoughts raced through his mind about how he could help Albert spend more time with Mary, even considering moving him to Galea.
“Peter…” Leonard’s voice broke his thoughts.
2/3
“Ves?” Peter burned, taking a sip of his drink
*son, I don’t know how to talk to you, I feel so asham. I don’t want to argue.” Lennard sald nervously
“Just talk to me like you do with Matthew,” Peter said his gaze steady.
“I’ve missed you so much, son. You can’t imagine heemuch I regret never telling you why I sent you to Galea,” Leonard said, his voice thick with emotion
*1 know why. That’s why I can’t stand Maximus. It’s all because of the woman sitting beside him,” Peter replied, his tone serious
“How did you find out?”
“Grandma told me. You know her always trying to save the world.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Father, I waited for you. I wanted you to visit, to see what I’d become. I wanted you to be proud of the man I built myself into.”
“I am proud of you, Peter. I didn’t need to see it to know. My friends in the finance world talk about like you’re a genius.”
“Not a genius–just someone who knows how to make smart moves. Real estate is my thing, though, and I’ve learned a lot from Marcus Bartz. He always told me to talk to you, to mend what’s broken.”
“Son, when your mother died, I was shattered. I didn’t know how to handle her loss, and I failed you. I threw myself into work because I couldn’t face the emptiness at home. By the time I realized it, ten years had passed. You were already a man, and I was terrified.”
“Terrified of what?“!
“That you wouldn’t need me anymore. Once, I saw you in New York, giving a lecture to university students. You looked so confident and strong. I didn’t want to ruin that moment, so I watched from
afar.”
“Father… you don’t know how much I needed you. I won’t let my child feel what I felt. I want to fix things with you because my child deserves a grandfather.”
Leonard couldn’t hold back his emotions any longer. He pulled Peter into a tight hug. Though Peter hesitated at first, he soon melted into the embrace, tears escaping as years of pain and distance began to heal.
Chapter 0130
