Jeremy had reserved a private dining room at an upscale restaurant. After placing their orders, he pushed a beautifully wrapped gift bag across the table toward Felicia.
She reached out and took it. "What is this?"
"Open it," Jeremy said with a soft smile.
Felicia glanced at him, then pulled out the velvet box inside. From the shape, it was clearly a necklace. She opened the lid, revealing a stunning pearl necklace. Each pearl was plump and perfectly round, shimmering with a beautiful luster under the warm lights.
"Do you like it?"
She looked up at him and nodded, offering a gentle smile. "It's beautiful."
"Good. I’m glad you like it."
A brief silence settled over the private room. Felicia lowered her gaze back to the pearls, her nerves tightening. She suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Felicia," Jeremy called out, his tone exceptionally earnest.
Startled out of her thoughts, she looked up, forcing a stiff smile. "Yes?"
"Did I make you uncomfortable?"
Felicia shook her head quickly. "No, not at all. I just..." Her mind went blank, and she stared down again, struggling for the right words.
"I just want you to understand, Felicia," Jeremy began slowly, his voice steady. "No matter what happens, I will always stand behind you."
Felicia's fingers trembled slightly. She wanted to tell him she wasn't worth it.
Before she could voice her self-doubt, Jeremy gently cut her off. "The most important thing for you right now is to adjust your mindset. You have a long life ahead of you. Give yourself a chance." He paused for a moment before adding, "And maybe, give someone else a chance too."
Felicia lifted her head, her breath hitching as she met his intense, tender gaze. Her heart gave a violent tremor.
It felt like an eternity before she finally gathered herself, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
Yara had caught a bad cold that morning, so Heather hadn't brought her over to play. Instead, Mabel had stayed home to watch Anne.
Hearing the door open, Anne came running with boundless joy. "Mommy's back!"
Felicia knelt to catch her, holding her little hands. "Were you a good girl today?"
Anne beamed up at her. "I'm always the best girl!"
The two cats trotted over, meowing happily and weaving between Felicia's legs.
Felicia guided Anne to the sofa, setting the gift bag on the coffee table.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max)
Take her back? Want to see her?? Donno about Felicia but I think I’m falling for this Max somehow🫠🙈pls update daily...
I knew it! Hopefully Felicia's health will improve and will want to have the baby. Oh how I despise Max's family....
Please post *I forgot I ever loved you*...
Is this coming to an end...
Oh nooo!! Don’t tell me Max will get washed ashore on a remote island then loses all his memory, then falls inlove with the local girl who saves him. Then when he meets Felicia again he won’t recognize her and breaks her heart again. Additional plot twist is that Felicia is pregnant with their 2nd child. Please pleaseee don’t give us this scenario.. LOL!!!...
If Max can be forgiven Darrin can be forgiven. And I do not like this marriage business but if it has to happen I hope after he gets stranded on some remote island alone while Felicia and his family fight over custody she wins and also gets half his estate. Then by time he comes back she's found having and remarried. Lol...
The writer is good. They're making me interested in Max. I won't say like yet....
It seems the only one who hasn't suffered is Max. Even his family fakes anger and disappointment all their own doing so they suffer a little. Everyone else has suffered. Luke and Jeremy unrequited. Felicia has suffered the most from family to unrequited to romance to long suffering Mother. Even baby Anne never had a mother til Felicia suffered then came back only to suffer some more. lol...
Oh no what did Colton do?... I have a bone to pick. When Olisha had to go the hospital why beg for Felicia? When she so loved Max? Seemed like she was in on the setup for Felicia to see a suicide for the 2nd time orchestrated by holden and his brother again. I might drop this series it's becoming endless with no real satisfaction for me. I don't need it to end because it's like a soap opera but if things don't end up making sense, tying up loose storylines it's gonna get old fast for me. Good luck author....
Anne, I think your baby brother is on the way. Thank goodness it doesn't say that Felicia is crying just like the last time but still, there's no willingness on her part. Max! You need to try harder. Make her fall in love with you again....