Chapter 0237
[The past]
Audrey had just turned 18, and during her birthday party, she met Maximus Palmer. That night, Maximus arrived at the celebration alone–a rare occurrence, as he usually attended such events with Alexia to maintain appearances. However, an argument over something trivial had erupted before they left the house, and Alexia chose to stay behind, leaving him embarrassed.
As Maximus approached the venue, he noticed a stunning young woman leaving. Her long chestnut hair flowed freely, and her features–her complexion, her expressions bore a striking resemblance to Mary. For a brief moment, he froze, staring at her, lost in the memory of his former wife. Shaking himself out of it, he continued toward the party.
“Maximus! You made it!” Alex Brown, his close friend, greeted him enthusiastically. “Sorry for dragging you to this; you know how my mother is. She insisted on introducing my sister to society.”
“No need to apologize. Honestly, I needed to get out for a bit and socialize,” Maximus replied, though there was a weariness in his voice.
“Where’s Alexia?” Alex asked curiously.
“Hmph… You already know,” Maximus said with a shrug.
“Another fight?”
“That’s our usual these days. That relationship ended a long time ago,” Maximus admitted with uncharacteristic honesty.
“Maximus, you still miss her, don’t you?
“Miss who?” Maximus asked, though he had a sinking feeling he knew exactly what Alex meant.
“Mary, of course! She was a treasure. I still can’t wrap my head around how you divorced her to marry Alexia.”
“Because I was an idiot.”
“Yeah, that’s clear as day.”
“You’re a-
“Come on, man. You know I’m right. That’s why I’m your best friend, isn’t it? Someone has to tell you the truth.”
“It’s been twenty years, Alex. Why are you bringing her up ow?” Maximus asked, attempting to deflect the subject.
“Because I barely see you these days, and when I do, I hear tumors about you… strange ones.
Maximus raised an eyebrow. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’ve got a thing for young girls. Don’t deny it–I’m not blind. My wife reads those gossip magazines, and sometimes she shares the stories with me.”
“That’s all nonsense.”
“Maybe. But, my friend, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you after your wedding. Unlike you, some of us have to work to make a living. But I know you, and I know when you’re lying. If you’re going to start over, at least end things with Alexia first. You’re not too old to start fresh, but you need to face reality–Mary isn’t coming back. It’s been
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0237
twenty years.”
Maximus clenched his jaw, unwilling to discuss the matter further. “Speaking of your sister, I brought her a small gift. Where is she?”
“Oh, right! Let me call her over. Hey, Audrey! Get over here young lady!” Alex shouted over the noise.
Maximus turned to look at the girl Alex was calling, only to realize it was the same young woman he had earlier the one who had stopped him in his tracks.
d seen
A few moments later, Audrey stood before him. Maximus felt an unexpected flutter in his chest as he looked at her angelic face and graceful figure, so reminiscent of Mary. He reached into his coat and retrieved a small box containing a diamond bracelet–a modest yet elegant gift for their first meeting.
Audrey, the youngest child of the Brown family, had been an unplanned addition to her parents‘ lives. Eighteen years later, Alex, as her older brother, treated her more like a daughter than a sibling. To him, she was still a girl who had just added another candle to her birthday cake. But to others, she was now a young woman.
“What do you say, Audrey?” Alex prompted.
“Thank you!” the girl exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Without thinking, she threw her arms around Maximus, pulling him into a warm hug. It was the first time anyone had ever given her such a thoughtful and luxurious gift. Her classmates and admirers were boys her age–none of them could afford to offer something so exquisite.
Releasing him, she looked into his eyes and said, “Really, thank you so much! I love it!”
다.
“All right, enough of that!” Alex interjected, eyeing the way his little sister lingered. “Go back to your friends. Maximus and I still have plenty to talk about.”
Audrey hesitated but eventually returned to the crowd of her peers, her excitement barely contained. Alex watched her leave, muttering under his breath as he noticed how Audrey’s eyes kept straying back toward the older man.
