Chapter 158 Chapter 158

Chapter 158 Chapter 158
Maxwell

Three Months Later

Three months had passed since the truth finally came to light, three months since I found my mother. Three months since Maxwell was rescued from the clutches of Camilla and brought back to us.

Life wasn't completely back to normal yet, but it was finally moving in the right direction.

Maxwell still hadn't regained all of his memories. He only remembered fragments of them. His doctors assured us that there was still hope, and despite everything, he was getting stronger every day. That alone was enough for us to be grateful.

Camilla, along with everyone who had helped her carry out the plan to kidnap Maxwell, was arrested. They were all found guilty and sent to prison for their crimes.

Orion was also convicted. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering my father, while Camilla received the same sentence for the murder of Miss Thelma.

Even now, I still couldn't believe how far they had gone to make their plan work. They had staged a real car accident, arranged an actual funeral, and buried an empty coffin just to convince Maxwell that I was dead. After making him believe he had lost me forever, they abandoned him on a beach so Camilla could appear as the one who had saved his life.

The more I thought about everything they had done, the more unbelievable it seemed. The entire scheme was cruel, calculated, and completely insane.

Tonight was a celebration.

Mrs. Cole had insisted that our family deserved a fresh start, while Maxwell's parents believed surviving everything we had endured was reason enough to celebrate. Together, they organized a grand welcome party, not just to welcome me home as Mrs. Cole's long-lost daughter, but also to celebrate Maxwell's return after two years of believing he was gone forever.

The Cole estate had been transformed into something breathtaking.

White roses and fresh lilies decorated every corner of the garden, fairy lights wrapped around the trees, and elegant chandeliers illuminated the massive glass marquee that had been specially erected for the occasion. Soft music drifted through the air as waiters moved gracefully between guests carrying trays of food and champagne.

Nearly everyone who mattered to both families was there.

Members of the Cole family had traveled from different states to witness the reunion, while the Sinclairs had invited close relatives, trusted business associates, and longtime family friends.

Maxwell's closest friends were there as well. Rafe stood near the bar chatting with Jaxon and Kai, while Adele stood not far from him glaring at her for leaving her to chat with a few guests.

It felt strange seeing so many smiling faces after everything we had survived. Standing beside me was Maxwell, he looked healthier than he had in months.

Although he still struggled to remember most of our past together, he no longer looked confused every time he saw me. Instead, he had begun creating new memories with me and with our daughters, and every single day, I caught glimpses of the man I had fallen in love with.

His arm rested comfortably around my waist. In front of us, our five daughters ran across the garden with bright smiles, chasing one another between the tables while their laughter filled the evening air.

Mrs. Cole couldn't stop watching them. Every time one of the girls called her Grandma, her eyes became misty all over again. Happy that her daughter was finally here. Not only does she have her daughter back, but five beautiful granddaughters she adored with all her heart.

Across the garden, Maxwell's parents stood together welcoming arriving guests.

His mother had barely left his side since he returned. Every now and then she reached over to straighten his jacket or touch his face, as if reassuring herself that her son was truly standing before her. His father wasn't much different.

Although he tried to hide his emotions behind his usual composed expression, I had caught him wiping away tears more than once that evening.

After hearing everything they had to say, I found it in my heart to forgive them for what they had done.

They explained that Camilla and the powerful mafia leader she was working with had threatened them. If they tried to report the kidnapping or tell anyone the truth, Maxwell would disappear forever, and they would never see him again.

They had already lost Declan once. The fear of losing Maxwell too was something they couldn't bear. Trapped by fear and desperate to protect him, they chose to do as they were told, hoping it would keep him alive.

I couldn't agree with the choices they had made, but I understood the fear that drove them. In the end, I decided to let go of the anger I had been holding onto and forgive them for their part in everything that happened.

As the evening settled in, the music softened. Mrs. Cole walked onto the small stage at the center of the garden with a microphone in her hand. Moments later, Maxwell's parents joined her.

The conversations gradually faded until every guest turned their attention toward them.

Mrs. Cole smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes. "Thank you all for coming tonight," she began. "This isn't just another family gathering. Tonight is a celebration of miracles."

She looked at me first.

"For years, I believed I had lost my daughter forever. I had prayed for the day she would return home to claim her place.” She reached out and took my hand. "God answered those prayers."

My eyes immediately filled with tears. She smiled warmly before turning toward Maxwell. "And two years ago, we believed we had lost Maxwell but today, he is standing here with us."

Maxwell's mother stepped forward, her voice thick with emotion.

"There were days we thought we'd never see our son again. There were nights we questioned whether we should keep hoping. Yet somehow, he found his way back to us."

She looked at Maxwell with a proud smile. "You may not remember everything yet, son, but none of that changes how much we love you."

Maxwell smiled softly.

His father rested a hand on his shoulder. "Families aren't measured by the years we lose," he said quietly. "They're measured by the love that brings us back together."

Applause filled the entire hall, echoing from every corner as smiles spread across the faces of our family and friends. The celebration became even louder as our parents stepped down from the stage, leaving Maxwell and me standing together in front of everyone.

Maxwell slowly turned to face me. His eyes held so much warmth that it made my heart skip a beat. "I am so grateful to have you in my life, Amelia," he said softly. "Every single day I spent away from you, I always felt like something was missing. There was an emptiness inside me that I couldn't explain. Deep down, I knew it. I could feel it in my soul."

He reached for my hands, never taking his eyes off mine. "I knew Camilla was never the right person for me. Every moment I spent with her felt forced. But whenever I looked at you, all I felt was peace. I longed to be close to you. Even back then, whenever I made you cry, my heart hurt so much."

My eyes filled with tears as I listened to every word.

"The past three months have been the most peaceful I have felt in the past two years," he continued. "Being with you and our girls has given me a home and a peace I never knew I needed. Even though I still can't remember anything from before those years, I know without a doubt that this is exactly where I belong." His voice softened into a whisper as he smiled at me. "I love you so much, Amelia."