His Beloved Ex-Wife

Chapter 628 He Had No Future

Maverick gently patted his chest and said, “It’s all right. I just think it’s rare to see the family spending time together like this. It makes me happy.”

Laura chuckled and nodded, “Mich has grown up, and we’re both retired now. If you don’t mind the hassle, we should go out more often.”

He had no future.

Maverick looked at his wife, her face weathered from years of tirelessly caring for him and their home. He could not bear to tell her the truth, so he forced a smile and said, “Sure, in the future, you and the children should go out and enjoy yourselves more.”

He brushed it off without mentioning himself.

Michelle, holding the camera, worried that Laura might notice something was off. She urged, “Mom, if you don’t take the picture soon, the sun will rise higher, and the lighting won’t be as good.”

Only after Laura stopped talking did she turn to Maverick and begin taking photos. Once they had captured all the poses they wanted, she heard him say, “Mich, Lysa, come over here and join us for a photo. Let’s take a family portrait.”

Josiah stepped forward without needing to be asked by Lysander. He took the camera from Michelle’s hands and captured what could possibly be the last family photo in Maverick’s life.

Laura’s heart swelled as she gazed at the photo previews. “This shot turned out really well! When can we get it printed?” she exclaimed.

Knowing Maverick’s time was limited, Josiah took it upon himself to say, “Once we get back to the hotel, I’ll contact the staff to print the photos. Hopefully, we’ll have them by the end of the day.

Upon hearing that, Maverick felt comforted and responded, “Great, let’s take another picture then.”

Before Josiah could resume his role as the photographer, Maverick suggested, “Why don’t you and your mother join in too? Let’s have a picture with both our families this time.”

He knew he wouldn’t live to see Lysander get married again. Therefore, he seized the opportunity to fulfill his own dream, seeing it as his way of blessing his daughter at a significant moment in her life.

Despite the bitter emotions churning within her, Lysander managed to suppress them and put most reassuring smile for her father in front of the camera. Josiah quickly positioned himself beside her after setting the camera on timer mode.

sound echoed, freezing the scene in time.

the hotel, where they reunited with Howard and Molly, who

arrival, Howard had already coordinated with Josiah to reserve a private room in the restaurant and pre–ordered

and the others headed

the crisp mountain air, acknowledging its beneficial effect

agreed wholeheartedly. The four of them then began

spirits, but soon began to look unwell. Despite discreetly taking painkillers,

casually dismissed their

signaling with his

her eyes lit up as she spoke, as

a different person. Once we get home, I must hang up

trembling hands under the table even

up appearances for the younger ones. Worried that he might be feeling cold and tired from his recent time in the mountains, she glanced at the dishes on the table and proposed, “Since the weather has been cold lately, how about

suggested, “The waiter mentioned their chicken soup is quite unique. It’s made from free–range chickens raised in the mountains, which is especially nourishing. It’s

decision to add the newly dish was thus made.

focus was on her father. She was prepared to quickly come up with an excuse and send

premonition but opted not to dampen the spirits of his wife and daughters.

soup was served in a claypot.

he had not even served himself any soup. She filled a bowl for him, remarking, “You’re not as young as you used to be. You need to take better care of yourself, so you won’t become a burden to

his spoon and take a few sips of soup, but he knew his

blurred, and alas, he collapsed.

“Maverick!”

unconscious and too heavy for

to assess his

oxygen