Chapter 0843
After a series of complaints from a dazed and frustrated Peter, Marcus couldn’t stay in the room any longer. He had listened to every argument Peter made about his situation, and frankly, it was starting to annoy him. Marcus didn’t know Celeste very well, but Peter wasn’t wrong about one thing–she wasn’t the type of woman he would usually go for. Then again, neither was Mary.
“Peter, I have to go home. My family is waiting for ine. But ask you one thing–talk to your brother, your son, and your fiancée. Each of them holds a piece of the puzzle. Think things through carefully. You need them to recover.”
“I’ll do my best, Marcus…” Peter said, staring out the window.
Marcus stood up from the chair beside Peter’s bed, but before he could leave, Peter grabbed his wrist.
“Marcus, can I meet your wife?”
“What?”
“I want to see the woman who was supposed to be my wife. The one I was ready to raise a child for, even though it wasn’t mine.”
“Peter! Jesus! I didn’t think you’d be this exhausting in this state,” Marcus said, irritated and uncomfortable.
“Just show me your wife,” Peter insisted, not letting go of his friend.
With a sigh, Marcus pulled out his phone, turned on the lock screen, and held it up for Peter to see. His friend’s face didn’t change at all.
“Huh. That’s strange. I wonder what I saw in her… and in the woman I was going to marry,” Peter muttered, thinking Marcus wouldn’t hear.
“I don’t know, Peter! But you’d better keep those thoughts to yourself and start accepting your reality.”
Peter took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh before leaning back against the pillows.
“Can you ask Maximus to come in?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks.”
Marcus left the room, his expression tense. More than anyone, he understood what this conversation meant. Peter wasn’t an easy man, and it was clear he wouldn’t make things easy for anyone.
What worried him most, though, was what Peter might say or do to Celeste.
“Maximus, Peter wants to talk to you.”
Maximus stood up and turned to look at Celeste. She met his gaze, her eyes filled with silent anticipation. He gave her a look–one that said I’ll handle this–before heading inside.
“Brother… How are you?” Maximus asked cautiously.
“Unfortunately for you, I’m still alive. I haven’t died like I’m sure you wished I would,” Peter said, his voice cold.
“What? What the hell are you talking about?” Maximus asked in disbelief.
“Oh, come on, Maximus. Do you really think I buy this fake concern?” Peter said arrogantly,
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Chapter 0843
“Peter, I don’t know what’s wrong with you. You and I–we’ve talked. We were in a better place. I don’t know what the
Marcus told you, but before you went into surgery, all you cared about was making it out alive and taking care of your kids.”
“Making it out alive? You call this making it out alive?” Peter snapped, his frustration boiling over.
“You’re alive, you idiot! That means more than anything to me–to all of us!” Maximus shot back, his patience wearing thin.
“Oh, really? So waking up to find that everyone knows me except me–you call that being okay? Then you don’t know me at all.”
“I know the man who went into that operating room! This pathetic version of you- the one trying so hard to act like an asshole right now? I don’t know him.” Maximus huffed, shaking his head. “I thought you wanted to talk about your past, not pick a fight. So if you’ve got nothing else to say, I’ll leave. There are two people out there who actually want to see you. If my presence bothers you so much, talk to them instead.”
Maximus turned to leave but paused at the door.
“Just remember something, brother… Watch your words. Because outside this room, there’s a woman who’s five months pregnant with your children. And also out there? Your son. Your own blood. And let me tell you God must love you, because that boy is already more mature than you were at the age you think you are.”
Maximus couldn’t stand being in that room a second longer. If he stayed, things would escalate, and that wouldn’t be good for Peter–not in his condition. He needed rest, not to be arguing with a brother who once prayed for his survival.
Storming out of the room, Maximus nearly slammed into Celeste as she quickly stood up from the couch, worry written all over her face.
“Maximus, how is he?” she asked, her eyes glossy with emotion–something Maximus didn’t fully understand. He looked down at the small woman, unsure of what to say or how to say it. In the end, he simply offered her a small smile and finally spoke:
“He’s fine. He’s strong. And, well… Peter is Peter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have something to take care of.” Marcus caught his gaze as he passed by. Their eyes met, and at that moment, Marcus knew.
Maximus was holding back tears.
Things weren’t going how they had hoped. Not even close.
