Chapter 0134
Peter ended the call with Catherine and stepped into the room where Mary was sitting. His heart sank at the sight of her tear–streaked face—the same face that had been glowing with happiness in his arms that very morning.
“My love, I’m here now! Everything will be okay,” Peter said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
“Peter… no, nothing is okay! My grandfather is gone… she sobbed.
“I know, my love, and I’m so sorry for your loss. But I don’t want you to hurt yourself. If anything happens to you or the baby, I don’t know what I’d do. You’re my priority. I can’t live without you both!”
“Peter… it’s just that I…”
“Love, I know it’s hard, but think about the baby. I love you both! I’ll always be here for you. It breaks my heart to see you like this…”
“It hurts so much to have lost my grandfather this way. He deserves a funeral–please, Peter, help me with that,” she pleaded..
“My love, Grandma is already taking care of it. She told me your grandfather wanted to be cremated. The funeral will be held at her mansion. But you mustn’t exert yourself. For now, we’re staying here.”
“How did Grandma know his last wishes?” she asked, wiping her tears.
“I don’t know, my love. But it’s important that we honor them.”
“The last time I spoke with him, he told me you were a good man. He said he was happy and grateful that I had found you,” she said, tears streaming down her face again.
Back at the mansion, Catherine arrived with her son and grandson. Without saying a word, she went straight to her room. Leonard watched her go but chose not to comment–there had been too many emotional blows, and he didn’t want to add to the weight she was carrying
In the solitude of her room, Catherine closed the door and pulled her phone from her bag. She opened the gallery and stared at the only photo she had of Albert.
“You and I were so close to living a life together. When you’re young, you can’t see the future, but looking back now… I think I would’ve loved a life with you, my dear Albert,” she whispered, her voice breaking as tears fell freely.
Meanwhile, Leonard and Maximus sat in the living room, waiting for news from Leopold.
“Father… you should go to bed. You must be exhausted,” Maximus said softly.
“No, son. You should go. Your fiancée is pregnant, and all of this might affect her too.”
“Yes, Father, I’ll go soon. But… I have something to ask,” Maximus said hesitantly.
“Go on.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 013-4
“I heard you say that Mary is pregnant. Is it true?” Maximus asked, his tone tinged with curiosity and
unease.
“Yes, it’s true. She’s in a relationship with Peter, and they told us yesterday. It’s still early very recent -but
yes, she’s expecting.”
“I see….
“Son, don’t do this to yourself. I can see from your expression that this news unsettles you. But you must understand–I will support both my sons. You made your decision, and it’s time to let her go Alexia is four months pregnant, and at some point, you’ll have to move on, just as Mary has.”
“I could never give her what she deserved. When I tried, Alexia’s pregnancy happened, and everything fell apart…”
“It’s time to let go. When I lost your mother, it took me years to come to terms with her absence. I don’t want the same for you. You need to turn the page.”
“Father, it’s hard to see Mary moving on with her life, and even harder to know she’s doing it with Peter.”
“I’m sorry that it’s difficult for you. I try to put myself in your shoes, but I must ask you to do what Peter did when Mary married you–stay away. What you and Mary had didn’t work. She suffered too much during your time together.”
