Chapter 0886
+25 BONUS
Alden and Serenity had invited Marcus and Valerie to dinner on Saturday night to share some important fiews. This would be the first time everyone involved would be gathered together, so anticipating this, Serenity had suggested to Marcus that it was time to tell Valerie the truth about Peter.
Marcus had been reluctant, but he knew his daughter was right. It was time to tell his wife a painful truth.
He preferred to be the one to tell her that Peter didn’t remember the last 23 years of his life. From what they had observed, he only got occasional flashes of memory–specifically when he was with Ethan. Everyone assumed it was because of the deep bond between grandfather and grandson.
So, without delaying any further, on Friday during lunch, wille they were sitting in the garden, Marcus looked at
his wife and said:
“Valerie, my love… I need to talk to you about something.”
“What is it, darling?” Valerie responded sweetly.
“Tomorrow, as you know, we’re having dinner at Alden’s house. Peter will probably be there…”
“Well, of course, he’s the father… Marcus, let’s leave the past behind and be as civil as possible for the kids‘ sake, “Valerie said in a gentle tone.
“I know, Valerie. But there’s something I haven’t told you about Peter… And, well, it might sound strange, Peter doesn’t remember anything.”
“What do you mean? Didn’t the surgery work?”
but-
“It did, sweetheart. It was successful because he survived. But that doesn’t mean it was successful in restoring his memories. From what Alden has told me, and from what I’ve seen myself, Peter has lost his memories. The doctors say he might regain them in the future, but only time will tell.”
“Well… It happened once before, so it could happen again.”
“Yes, but it took twenty years for him to get them back last time… The Peter you’ll see tomorrow is nothing like the one you remember. He woke up from the coma and is trying to live a normal life, but his memories only go back to when he was 25 years old.”
“Seriously?” Valerie asked, a hint of astonishment in her voice.
“Yes, sweetheart… None of us expected this.”
“Oh, God… And his current partner? How is she handling it? She’s pregnant…”
“From what I know… Peter is making an effort to understand everything, and so is she. Things are getting better, little by little.”
“Wow… I never imagined something like this would happen to him. Poor Peter… It makes me sad. He’s not a bad man–he’s been through so much, and life still keeps throwing things at him that he doesn’t deserve,” Valerie said, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Marcus felt uncomfortable seeing his wife’s expression–lest in thought, reminiscing about the past. But if there was one thing he was learning in therapy, it was that he had to be more empathetic. Valerie hadn’t asked for everything that happened, just as he hadn’t. They were both fighting their own demons–Peter being one of them, whether as an old friend or an ex–lover.
“The important thing is that he’s alive and will get to meet his new granddaughter,” Valerie said, smiling.
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Chapter 0896
She felt a pang of discomfort at her own words. But she had to accept that Peter’s life, at least for her, had to take a backseat now. He had been a significant part of her past, but realistically, life had never intended for them to be together.
He had a new partner now, and she seemed like a good woman. That was enough for Valerie. She couldn’t complain–after all, life had repaid her for everything with wonderful husband, a man who was doing everything he could to fight his own demons, his past, and his present.”
“Thank you for telling me, Marcus. We both need to make an effort. You’ll see–little by little, you’ll get used to Serenity’s partner. I’m not saying you two will become best friends, but I do believe that, in time, you and Alden will see each other for what you truly are–family
“As for Peter… I never imagined we’d end up as in–laws or something like that. Life really played a joke on the three of us. But we need to leave that story in the past, for everyone’s sake..
“I’m truly happy with you, and I don’t want anything else, Valerie said as she stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around him.
“Thank you, Valerie,” Marcus said, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her waist.
“For what?” she asked.
“For this… For being here. For choosing me. For forgiving all my stupidity. For accepting me, with all my messed- up past. For our beautiful children. For coming into my life. For everything.” Marcus murmured, holding her tightly.
“Marcus… You are and always will be the best thing that ever happened to me. We both have our pasts, but if my 18, -year–old self could see everything I’d go through, I think she’d want to fast–forward to this moment,” Valerie said, gazing at him with a loving smile.
“You know I love you, right?”
“I love you too. And I hope we have many, many years ahead to keep loving each other.”
“Then I guess all that’s left is for us to support our daughter in this new journey, right?”
“Exactly! Let’s leave the past where it belongs. Let’s treat tomorrow’s dinner as a chance to meet the family and do our best to rise to the occasion,” Valerie said, smiling at him.
+25 BONUS
Chapter Das
