Marriage Resumption (Valeria and Hackett)

Valeria couldn't help but reflect on the evening's dinner inside the car. The atmosphere had been unexpectedly pleasant and harmonious. It had been a while since she had experienced such warmth and comfort. Meanwhile, Alex had drifted off in the back seat, completely wom out and devoid of his earlier mischief

Hackett glanced at Alex through the rearview mirror, then cast a discreet look at Valeria in the passenger seat. In a calm tone, he asked. "How did you find tonight? Did you have a good time?

Valeria nodded, a faint but genuine smile gracing her lips. "It was quite nice.

The man returned her smile, sensing that Valeria was growing fond of this family. The absence of paternal love in her life was slowly being filled.

Over the years, due to her gambling-addicted father, she had carried a heavy burden of shame that had kept her from taking herself with pride. Knowing Clayton was her biological father, she must have found solace in her heart. Hackett had more on his mind that he wanted to express, but as he parted his lips, he thought better of it. He decided it wasn't the right time to broach the subject.

"Are you pondering whether I'll return to the Maddox family?"

He looked at her and admitted, "Yes, I was curious, though I understand if you're not ready to answer."

Vileria sighed softly. "I'm not entirely sure how to answer that at the moment. Let's take it one step at a time." She had already taken a step towards compromise, and deep down, she longed for the warmth of a family.

Ever since her foster mother's passing. Valeria hadn't felt the warmth of a family. As for her despicable father, Ben was even worse, only interested in taking money from her,

The car glided into the River Valley residential community and parked beneath Building Seven.

Valeria and Hackett exited the car

r one after the other. The man gently lifted the slumbering Alex from the back seat,

and

they proceeded into the building.

Little did they know, a black Maybach parked ahead, and Keith sat inside.

Keith had initially come to find Valeria, but what he witnessed took him by surprise.

His fingers tightened around the steering wheel, and his knuckles turned white as he let out a bitter chuckle.

Well....

What was all of this?

Were these two now on good terms? Then, what about him?

Shortly after, Hackett descended from the building and drove away. His expression seemed content when he got in the car.

Keith pounded his fist angrily against the steering wheel, refusing to accept this turn of events!

Was he supposed to witness Valeria and Hackett reconciling in such a manner without taking action?

Wasn't Hackett engaged to the Maddox family? Why had he suddenly broken off the engagement? What was going on?

He had thought that Hackett marrying Elsie had settled everything, but this unexpected twist made him wonder if it was deliberate on Hackett's part.

GW.

He retrieved his phone and dialed Valeria's number. After an eternity, her voice came through, cool and distant, "Keith. what's oing on?"

"Nothing much. Can we meet up tomorrow?"

"Do you have something to discuss with me?"

Valeria seemed reluctant to meet, and she even seemed inclined to decline. Nevertheless, Keith remained persistent and said. "Can we meet tomorrow? I'd like to have a chat with you. I've been feeling a bit off lately." "Alright... sure."

"See you tomorrow."

After ending the call, Keith's face bore no traces of a smile. He could feel that Valeria was drifting further away from him.

He couldn't fathom how a former husband who had wounded Valeria so deeply could still wield such significant influence. Even Alex appeared to have switched allegiances, leaving him utterly perplexed Meanwhile... Valeria lay in the bathtub, having just ended a call. She hadn't anticipated Keith reaching out to her, thinking she had made herself clear.

This time, she resolved to communicate unequivocally, leaving no room for Keith to harbor any hope for a future with her.

During the dinner at the Maddox family's residence this evening, a slight inclination toward compromise had begun to stir with her. However, her rational side cautioned against acting impulsively..... Suddenly, her phone rang once more.

Valeria glanced at the caller ID, noticing an unfamiliar number. She answered with a hint of suspicion, "Who's calling?"

"It's Sherri

Sherri?

Wasn't she Keith's former girlfriend?

Why were they suddenly giving her a call? It was pretty puzzling.

"Hello, how can I help you?" Valeria said.

"What was going on with this pair? Both of them suddenly called me tonight could they want to meet for a conversation?" As expected, Sherri asked, "Are you available tomorrow? Can we meet up?" "Well... I might be pretty tied up tomorrow. I've been swamped with work at my law office lately. How about another day?" "In that case, are you free right now? Can I come over? There's something important I'd like to discuss." Sherri's voice carried a sense of urgency as if a pressing matter was on

her

mind.

"Sure, you can come over. I'm at home. I'll send you the address Valeria replied as she exited the bathtub.

"Great

ton

After hanging up the phone, Valeria wrapped herself in a towel, ber mind filled with confusion. What on earth was going on? A short while later, the doorbell chimed, signaling Sherri's arrival Tue, Nov 19

Valeria hastened to answer the door with both Ella and Alex soul asleep. Upon opening it, she found Sherri standing there, looking disheveled as if she had been through something, "Is everything all right?"

"May I come in?" Sherri inquired, her eyes reddened as though she had just engaged in a heated argument.

"Of course, please step inside."

Valeria observed Sherri's disheveled appearance with concern and began to wonder what had transpired. She proceeded to pour a glass of water. She extended it to Sherri, her actions carefully measured to ensure she didn't disrupt the peaceful slumber of both Alex and Ella, who rested soundly nearby. "I apologize, but I don't want to wake Alex or Ella," Valeria explained as she guided Sherri to the terrace for a private conversation.

"No need to worry. I understand, Sherri replied, taking a seat on the outdoor sofa, her gaze directed downward.

Valeria sat across from Sherri, her lengthy hair gently swaying in the breeze. She spoke softly, her concern evident in her words. "Sherri, are you alright? What's been going on with you?

Valeria, do you believe there's no way to make amends when one has made mistakes?" Sherri's eyes welled up with tears as she asked.

Valeria was genuinely startled by this, her tears flowing freely at the drop of a hat.

That's how it goes. People have to pay the price for their mistakes."

"But I truly know I messed up. Why won't he give me a break?" Sherri sobbed.

Valeria couldn't help but inquire. "What's truly troubling you? I've distanced myself from Keith and refrained from interfering in your affairs. Your relationship should be running smoothly by now. I even thought you two were on the brink of tying the knot..

"It's got nothing to do with you. It's my blunder. I met Keith's parents, and they got wind of my divorce... Sherri's words trailed off as she hesitated to continue.

"Oh... So that's the situation. The Cooper family still disapproves of Sherri's second marriage. It's understandable, especially since when she met Keith's parents, they made no secret of their disdain for her divorced status."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Well, how does Keith's stance on all of this? As long as he's firmly on your side, Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Cooper shouldn't pose much of a problem," Valeria remarked.

Mentioning Keith brought even more sadness to Sherri. She wiped away her tears with a tissue and said, "Keith... I have no clue what's going on in his mind. I believe he still cares about me because he rushes to my aid whenever I'm in trouble. But when it comes to matters of the heart, he avoids the subject, as if I'm being overly presumptuous."