Felicia handed one box to Greg and another to Luke, a little smirk playing on her lips.
Greg sized up the shopping haul. “That’s a lot of stuff. Stocking up for winter? What did you get for yourself?”
“Oh, I’d never leave myself out,” Felicia said, her eyes sparkling as she tipped her chin up and showed off a gleaming pearl necklace. “Fifty grand well spent, don’t you think?”
“Gorgeous,” Luke said, his voice gentle. “It really suits you.”
She slipped the necklace back into its box and started emptying her suitcase onto the sofa until the cushions were covered in shiny, new purchases.
That night, Luke stayed for dinner with the Ross family.
Once dinner was over, he got ready to head home; he needed to return to the old estate tonight.
Felicia walked him to the door. Just as Luke was turning to leave, she spoke up. “Is your grandfather okay?”
He paused, looking back. “Not really. He’s in the hospital right now for observation. I’ll stop by to see him on my way.”
Felicia nodded, her expression thoughtful. She remembered the time when Old Mr. Hawthorne had nearly passed away... It felt like fate, somehow. After she and Max got married, Brysen had pulled through, and things had been peaceful since.
She let out a quiet sigh. “Drive safe, okay?”
Luke nodded and smiled softly. “You should get inside, it’s cold.”
When his car pulled away, Felicia headed back inside.
Greg was waiting in the living room. “Anne didn’t come home with you?”
“Brysen’s sick, so Max picked her up,” Felicia said.
She hung up before he could respond, tossed the phone aside, turned on the TV, and settled into bed with a movie. Before she knew it, she’d drifted off to sleep.
Around ten the next morning, Felicia was reaching for her phone to call Anne when there was a knock at the door.
“Felicia?” Ava poked her head in. “Max and Anne are downstairs.”
Felicia frowned, putting her phone down and heading out.
When she got to the living room, Max and Anne were waiting. Anne dashed over as soon as she saw Felicia, wrapping her little arms around her mom’s leg.
“Mommy, when did you get back? Why didn’t you come home?” Anne’s eyes were wide with worry.
Felicia smoothed Anne’s hair, her tone gentle. “I was just about to call you, sweetheart.” She glanced up at Max across the room and met his cool, unreadable gaze.

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