Chapter 0191
After realizing it was too late to find Mary, both Leonardo and Maximus returned to their respective homes. The day had been long, filled with overwhelming emotions, and neither could avoid the weight of their failures. Leonardo grappled with how he would break the news to his mother–that Mary had disappeared and wouldn’t be at Peter’s funeral.
Maximus, on the other hand, returned to the Levett estate, only to be met with another shock: Alexia had been rushed to the hospital. Left alone after Maximus stormed out, she’d started feeling unwell, forcing the staff to call emergency services. Their baby was coming early.
Maximus borrowed a car and sped to the hospital. By the time he arrived, Alexia was already in labor. The stress, the trip, and their heated argument had triggered the premature birth. A nurse met him at
the door.”
“Are you the father?” she asked.
“Yes,” Maximus replied, still catching his breath.
“Here, put on this gown, and you can accompany your wife.”
Maximus quickly changed, ignoring the nurse’s skeptical glance at his bruised face. Despite his disheveled state, he insisted on entering the delivery room. No one dared deny Maximus Palmer, one of Valeria’s most powerful figures.
After two hours of intense labor, Maximus emerged from the room, his face alight with relief and joy. His son had arrived–tiny but healthy. The newborn had been placed in an incubator for observation, and Alexia, though exhausted, was stable.
Maximus sat outside the room, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions. Only a day ago, Peter’s remains had been delivered to the same hospital, and now, new life had emerged from his family. He dialed his father’s number to share the news.
Leonardo answered, his voice tinged with weariness. The day’s events had drained him. But hearing about the birth brought a momentary flicker of happiness.
“I’ll come by later, son. Your brother’s funeral is in a few hours, and your grandmother needs me.”
Maximus nodded, though his father couldn’t see him I understand, Father Take care of her. Tell her… I’ll come to Florentia once Alexia and the baby are discharged.”
Meanwhile, at Peter’s home, Catherine was waiting alongside Leonardo for the remains of her beloved. grandson. The once–strong matriarch looked like a shell of her former self. Her face, usually adorned with immaculate makeup, was bare and pale. Her weary eyes betrayed the toll of her endless tears.
When Peter’s ashes were handed to her, she clutched the urn as if it were her most treasured possession, holding it close to her chest.
“Let’s go,” she told Leonardo, her voice trembling. “Mary must be waiting for us. We’ll bring this to her,
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Chapter 0191
and then she’ll come with us to Florentia. She can’t stay here alone in her condition. She’ll live with me. I’ll help her care for the baby.”
Leonardo’s chest tightened at her words. He knew the truth would shatter her. As soon as they got into the car, he decided to break it to her.
“Mother,” he started hesitantly.
“Yes, dear? Keep driving. We shouldn’t keep Mary waiting,” Catherine replied, waving her hand dismissively.
Leonardo pulled over and exhaled deeply, steeling himself for the blow he was about to deliver.
“Listen to me, Mother. Yesterday, I went to Peter’s house to look for Mary, but… she wasn’t there. She’s gone. We searched for her and tracked her to the airport, but we were too late. She boarded a flight, and we don’t know where she went.”
Catherine froze, staring at her son in disbelief. “What are you saying, Leonardo? What nonsense is this?”
“It’s the truth,” Leonardo said, turning to face her. “Mary is gone. We have no idea where she went. She’s not waiting for us, and she won’t be at the funeral.”
Catherine’s hands began to shake as tears spilled down her cheeks. “No… no, she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t leave.”
Leonardo took her trembling hands in his own. “She did, Mother. I need you to accept it. Please… I can’t handle this alone. Maximus won’t be at the funeral either; Alexia had her baby, and he’s staying at the hospital. It’s just you and me now.”
The truth hit Catherine like a physical blow. She slumped back in her seat, her gaze fixed on the urn in her lap. “Why would she leave?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Why would she do this to us? To Peter’s child?”
Leonardo’s own tears welled up, but he fought to stay strong for his mother. “I don’t know, Mother. But right now, we need to focus. Peter deserves to rest in peace, and we have to make sure that happens.”
Catherine straightened up, her expression suddenly hardening. “Peter will come with me. I’m taking him home. He’s not going to some cemetery in Florentia.”
Leonardo’s eyes widened. “Mother, no. We’ve already arranged for him to be laid to rest in Florentia, with the rest of the family. That’s what we’re doing.”
“Leonardo, you don’t understand,” she snapped, clutching the urn tighter. “I’ve lost too much already. My son is staying with me. I won’t leave him in some cold graveyard!”
“Mother, stop this. You’re being unreasonable!”
“Unreasonable?” she spat, her voice cracking with emotion. “You expect me to abandon my son? To bury him and walk away as if that’s the end? I can’t do it, Leonardo. I won’t do it!”
Leonardo sighed deeply, gripping the steering wheel as his own emotions threatened to boil over. Mother, we have to think about the family. Peter belongs in Florentia, with the other Palmers. That’s where he’ll rest.”
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Chapter 0191
Catherine turned her tear–streaked face to her son, her eyes blazing with defiance. “No, Leonardo. Peter is coming home with me. End of discussion.”
Leonardo knew there was no convincing her in this state. Defeated, he started the car and drove them home, the weight of his mother’s grief pressing down on him like a stone.
As they arrived at the estate, Catherine turned to Leonardo and said softly, “I’ll meet Maximus’s son when the time is right. But now… now I need to be with Peter.”
Leonardo watched her retreat into the house, still clutching the urn, and felt an overwhelming sense of failure. He vowed silently to himself that he would find Mary and her child, no matter what it took. If he had to take the child to secure the Palmer legacy, so be it.
