The Charming 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.

shutter sound echoed, freezing

they reunited with Howard and Molly, who had been. resting at the

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

freshening up, Lysander and the others headed to the private dining room for dinner.

crisp mountain air,

The four of them then began discussing the highlights of their day

soon began

but he casually dismissed their

Michelle glanced at him signaling with his eyes that they need

her eyes lit up as she spoke, as if she had returned to her youthful

he’s acting like a different person. Once we get home, I must hang up the printed photos. And when we move to our new house later, they’ll be displayed

he quickly hid his trembling hands under the

time in the mountains, she glanced at the dishes on the table and proposed, “Since the weather has been cold lately, how about adding a

had seen earlier and 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 exactly what

add the newly dish was thus made.

to quickly come up with an excuse and send Maverick back to

kept his concerns to himself. He had a vague premonition but opted

the soup was served in a

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

hand in an attempt to steady its trembling. He managed to lift his spoon and take a few sips of soup, but he knew his exhausted body would not hold out much longer.

blurred, and alas, he collapsed.

“Maverick!”

startled and rushed to help, but Maverick was completely unconscious and too heavy for her to

over, swiftly beginning to assess his vital signs.

became increasingly labored, and his face began to display signs of oxygen deprivation. Lysander’s voice trembled as she urgently exclaimed, “Quick, call an