22:

C

Chapter 0608

Valerie remained in the study long after Serenity had left. She felt a hollow ache in her chest, a deep guilt that weighed heavily on her. Her little girl was gone, and though she didn’t want to admit it, her daughter’s words rang true. She hadn’t handled Peter’s reappearance well. He had come into her life like a storm and left just as abruptly, leaving behind a chaos she had allowed to consume her. She questioned why she couldn’t be immune to him–why she clung to someone who didn’t love her.

Sitting behind the desk, absentmindedly stroking her pregnant belly, she was lost in her thoughts when the door opened quietly. A strong hand rested on her shoulder, pulling her back to reality.

“Are you okay?”

She turned to see Marcus standing behind her. The man who had loved, comforted, and cared for her for 15 years. The sight of him brought a wave of remorse crashing down on her.

“I messed everything up, didn’t I?” she said, her voice trembling as tears rolled down her face.

“No,” Marcus replied gently, “She would have left eventually. Do you remember how she wanted to move out even back in Hesperia?”

left because

yourself all the credit,” Marcus said with a soft chuckle. “I played my

we’ve both messed up, haven’t we?” Valerie said, her

better–yes. We both screwed up. This whole

wish I could go back in time.”

“To do what?”

never come

a strong, wise woman. You shine brightest when things get tough–I know, because that’s what made me

eyes meeting his. Marcus knelt beside her so they

alone. I’ll always be here for you, for our kids. I know I haven’t made the best decisions lately. Honestly, I was hurt… It crushed me to see the way your face lit up at the

Marcus’s face in her hands, and he responded

my reaction wasn’t right. I’ve been so irrational, not thinking about the consequences or who I was hurting in the process. I know you might not believe

you–not for what you give me, but for who we are

cheek. He knew he had also acted impulsively. While he had accused Valerie of being irrational, he had let his own jealousy and pain cloud his judgment. Instead of supporting her and helping her

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