novelxo Chapter Gud Wife 177
Chapter 0177
[The present, Westhaven]
"That pizza was delicious!" Valerie said, feeling content with a full belly.
The two of them stepped outside to sit at the small garden table.
"Love, I noticed you were very quiet during lunch," Marcus said, intrigued. "That's not like you-you're usually talking non-stop!"
"I don't know," Valerie admitted. "Lately, I've had this strange feeling of unease in my chest. It's hard to explain, but when you asked earlier about how we found each other again, I felt the same tightness." "What do you mean? Explain," Marcus said, leaning closer with concern.
"When I went back to Hesperia, I felt this way every single day. I always had a lump in my throat, like something bad could happen at any moment. I worried constantly about my daughter. And now, even though that little girl is a grown woman, I still feel it from time to time.
"Do you think you'll ever tell Serenity about her biological father's family?"
"She knows her father's name was Peter. She doesn't need to know his last name."
"Valerie," Marcus said gently, "you know I've always supported you. But in this case, I don't think it's wise to keep hiding her father's family from her. I'm about to start working there, and I'll make sure you get back what's rightfully yours. Don't you think she has a right to know she has more family than just you, me, and John?"
"That's exactly what's troubling me," Valerie confessed, running a hand through her hair. "You know Serenity-she's impulsive. Sometimes she acts without thinking things through. I trust that Maximus would never harm his niece, but Alexia... she's capable of anything. That woman could do a lot of damage. "Calm down, my love. That's why we've been so careful," Marcus said, pulling her into a comforting hug and kissing the top of her head. "Sometimes I think it might've been better to let her go to Japan like she wanted.'
"Marcus!" Valerie exclaimed, glaring up at him. "You just want to keep enabling her little escapes!" "No, but if it's something that worries you this mucht might have been safer for her to settle there rather than bring her here, where Peter's family might recognize her.
"She doesn't look like the Palmers. She looks like me," Valerie countered firmly.
"Well, that's true, but everyone knows you were pregnant when you left. They only need to do the math to figure it out. But listen, I don't want to stress you out. The safety of the kids comes first, so once they're here, we'll keep them under close watch at all times. You don't have to worry about that."
"Marcus!" Valerie exclaimed, exasperated. "You tell me not to worry, and then you go and say things like that!"
"My love," Marcus replied with a teasing smile, "don't get mad. I just want to prepare you for reality-I don't want to sugarcoat things." He hugged her tighter and kissed her cheek. Chapter 0177
"Fine, fine. Let's change the subject. We've made great progress with the house and the staff we're hiring. We're only missing a few people. Emma still hasn't confirmed if she wants to come live with us.
"Don't worry. Call her later and you'll get your answer I doubt she'll say no. It would've been funny if Agnes had been here too. That grumpy wornan talking to you? What a sight! It's a shame she passed away not long after Peter."
"Yes, I was really sad to hear about that. I think it was more from grief than anything else. She loved what ever Peter-she saw him as a son," Valerie said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Marcus, happened to Peter's house?"
"It reverted to my properties," Marcus explained. "I pay to keep it maintained so it looks like someone still lives there, but since the last time we visited, after Agnes's passing, no one's set foot inside. No one's been there."
"At some point," Valerie said quietly, "I'd like to visit it."