novelxo Chapter Gud Wife 683
Chapter 0683
Four months had passed since Valerie was admitted to the psychiatric hospital. Slowly but steadily, she was making progress. She was beginning to close the painful chapters of her life, from her childhood to her time in Valentia. Her heart was healing as she started to recognize that much of what she had endured with her father had never been her fault.
Valerie, who had lost her mother at a young age, found the nurturing love she now expressed as a mother through her grandparents, Albert and Caroline. They had raised her with care and respect.
Her father, though a poor parent, had never abandoned her. Perhaps he, too, had been grappling with an unresolved grief that he never overcame-a grief that might have required professional help. But Valerie would never get answers those questions. She never found out what happened to her father or her aunt.
[At the psychiatric hospital]
"Valerie, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Good, Dr. Hill! I feel good today."
"I'm glad to hear that. Camille and your little ones are coming to visit you today. I know how much you love those visits."
"Yes, they're my biggest reason for being here. Doctor, can ask you something? Do you know when Maximus will visit?"
"No, Valerie, he hasn't told me anything yet. Normally, we arrange these visits in advance, but so far, I haven't heard from him. Don't worry. He's probably just busy with work."
"Yes... I guess so.
"You and Maximus seem to have built a very good relationship. To be honest, I was skeptical at first. I thought it was a bad idea, but now that I see how much good it does you to talk to him, I'm starting to question myself."
"We've become friends. Each of us carries our own demons and regrets. I know his life hasn't been easy, and he's had his share of painful experiences. But I can't hate him. He and I are both victims of our own poor choices."
"That's exactly the kind of mindset I want you to have. Your heart is healing. Your inner child has forgiven her past, and now you're starting to forgive your present. There's still a lot of work to do, but we're making progress, step by step."
"Yes, Doctor. Please let me know as soon as Camille arrives."
"Of course, Valerie! I'll let you know right away."
Valerie's recovery was moving along quickly. She had emerged from her depression in record time. Though she tried to use this as leverage to leave the clinic early, Dr. Hill wouldn't allow it. Valerie couldn't abandon her therapy again, as she had done years before.
Meanwhile, Peter's life in Slovenia had settled into a semblance of normalcy-or at least as normal as could be expected. Celeste no longer relied on her wheelchair or crutches, now walking with just a cane. Peter showered her with attention, though his mind was far from at ease.
Initially, Celeste had her doubts, but after eight months together following her accident, she looked at Peter with
love. To her, he had become her world.
Though she couldn't match his financial support or the care he had provided her, Celeste had taken it upon
1/2
Chapter 0683
herself to care for him in every other way. For the past two months, she had been tending to him like a devoted wife. While the nature of their relationship wasn't entirely clear, Celeste cooked for him, handled his laundry, prepared his bath, and tucked him in at night. When Peter fell ill, she doted on him with affection and tenderness. For Celeste, who had spent years alone after her husband's death, taking care of another man might have once felt strange. But now, she did it with love. If Peter's mind was a storm of conflicting emotions, she either didn't notice or accepted it as part of his character. She thought nothing of his occasional seriousness or bouts of silence, followed by periods of joy and enthusiasm.
The pair often took long walks by the seaside, an activity recommended during Celeste's therapy. Peter always joined her, no matter what he was doing, knowing that their walks were a part of their daily routine.
Yet Peter's feelings for Celeste were complicated. When they walked and talked on the beach, he felt at ease. But the moment he was alone-locked away in his study, scrolling through photos of Mary-the ghost of that woman haunted him relentlessly.
One day, an idea struck him-a solution to a problem that had been plaguing him. If there was a way to get Marcus out of prison without exposing the fact that he was alive, Peter was determined to find it. And Alexia, of all people, would be a key part of his plan.
Without wasting time, Peter packed a suitcase and left for Valentia. He said goodbye to Celeste as he always did, promising not to be gone long and leaving her in the care of the household staff.
When Peter arrived in Valentia, he went straight to Maximus's apartment. Maximus, who was preparing dinner for Diana, was surprised to find his brother standing at his door.
"Maximus," Peter said with determination. "I know how we're going to get Marcus out of prison."
2/2