"Daddy, you cannot bully Marble," Anne said, hurrying over to him.
Max looked back at his daughter. "I am not bullying her."
"Come down, Marble," Anne called out. The tabby cautiously climbed down the cat tree. Once she was low enough, Anne reached out and scooped her into her arms. Marble did not struggle at all, letting the little girl hold her tight. Anne stroked the cat's fur. "Marble, this is my daddy. He will not hurt you. Do not be scared." Slowly, the tabby relaxed in her arms.
Max tossed the toy aside and dropped to one knee. "She really likes you."
Anne beamed at him. "Of course! Rusty and Marble will like you too, Daddy. Here, pet her."
Max made no move to touch the animal.
"Anne, come have breakfast with Daddy," Felicia called out from the dining area. Max glanced over as Felicia set a fresh bowl of seafood soup on the table. Anne carefully placed the tabby on the floor, and Max stood up, taking his daughter's hand.
"Go wash your hands first," Felicia instructed.
"Okay," Anne chimed in obediently. Max led her to the kitchen sink, helping her wash up before pulling out a chair for her at the table. Felicia brought over the freshly made pancakes. Smelling the delicious spread, Anne swung her little legs happily. "It smells so good, Mommy!"
Felicia sat down with a soft smile. "Then you better eat a lot."
Anne nodded enthusiastically. "I will."
"Go ahead."
She kept her tone completely casual. "I had something bad a couple of days ago and upset my stomach. I am sticking to bland food for a bit." She took a bite of her oatmeal. Feeling his eyes still burning into her, she looked up and asked calmly, "Why are you staring at me?"
"You are not eating your egg either," Max noted.
Felicia clenched her fingers slightly. She had only boiled one egg specifically for Anne. She should have known his observational skills were terrifyingly sharp. Maintaining her composure, she said, "I just wanted some oats. If you want an egg, I can make one for you right now."
Max lowered his eyes, withdrawing his intense gaze. "No need."
He did not press the issue further. Felicia let out a quiet sigh of relief in her head, though the rest of breakfast felt agonizingly tense, mostly because of the calculated glances Max kept throwing her way.

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....