My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

[The past]

Mary woke up after a long nap. Peter had been right-the lavender oil had really relaxed her.

Maybe it was the move, maybe it was having Grandma Catherine and Peter around, or maybe it was just that she knew she had to be strong so she could recover quickly and see her grandfather again—but whatever it was, she had slept like an angel.

"Mary... Can I come in?" came Peter's voice from the door.

"Of course! Come in!"

"How did the most beautiful woman in this house wake up?"

"Peter, come in, son, come in. Mary must be hungry..." said Grandma Catherine from behind him.

"Oh, Grandma! Don't be jealous, Mary is only the second most beautiful woman in this house!" she teased, placing a tray with a delicious breakfast on Mary's bed.

"Wow, that smells amazing! It's my favorite," the girl said, eyes wide.

"I told you I was going to take care of you and help you recover, didn't I? And that starts with a full belly and a happy heart."

"Peter got up early and made your breakfast. The ungrateful boy wouldn't let me touch a thing until he brought it up here. Now we can all have breakfast together."

Leopoldo walked in with a pot of coffee and cups for the three of them.

In that moment, they looked just like a family—a husband, a wife, and a mother- in-law. The atmosphere was cheerful. They burst into laughter talking about the adventures they'd had in Galea more than three years ago.

Peter always had a way of making Grandma and Mary laugh. There was no doubt that he and Maximus were worlds apart-practically opposites.

"Mrs. Catherine, it's your grandson calling," said Leopold, serious.

"Well, kids, I have to take this. Keep eating your breakfast. Peter, make sure this girl eats everything I kindly made her," said Grandma, getting up from the table.

But when she answered the phone, the smile faded from her face, and her expression turned serious.

"Maximus, son, why don't you call more often? I thought that stubborn heart of yours would've started worrying about your wife by now."

"Are you with Mary?"

"We were having breakfast, but I left her with Peter. He's making sure she eats everything I lovingly prepared."

Hearing that made Maximus's blood boil. Jealousy flared up inside him. He felt like that was his place-not his brother's.

All he could think was that Peter was trying to win over their grandmother and steal Mary's love-especially now, when everyone knew their marriage was hanging by a thread.

"I looked into it, Grandma..." Maximus said calmly.

"Oh, my boy! You mean you didn't believe me?"

"I had to be sure," he replied, with a hint of regret in his voice.

"So what do you want me to do, son? What's done is done. Now we're just trying to fix the mess you made."

"I know, Grandma! You don't need to remind me. I just want you to know that, starting today, Alexia Levett is out of the company."

"Wow! That should've happened a long time ago. Do what you have to do but I'll respect Mary's decision. And if she chooses to stay away from you, I won't stop

her."

"In fact, I've already spoken to the family lawyer about the possibility of an amicable divorce."

"Grandma! You can't decide that!" Maximus shouted when he realized what she was planning.

"No need to yell. Your old granny still hears just fine. I want you to really think about something. Take a day to remember what you did to Mary for over three years.

"Think about it. If there's even a chance she'll still accept you, I'll stand by whatever she decides. But I'm warning you-if you try to force her into anything, I'll be the first to step in.

"I want you to remember something: beauty doesn't grow in hell. And as far as I know, Mary lived in hell by your side. You took advantage of the fact that she had no one around her. But fet me remind you-she's my responsibility now. . to

"I trusted you once. I won't do it again."

Maximus went quiet. His

grandmother had hit him with a harsh truth. Getting close to Mary was going to be harder than he thought. There was no trust left-not from his grandmother, and definitely not from his wife. It was likely she'd never want to see him again. noveldrama

"Maximus? Are you still there?" Grandma asked, sensing the silence.

"Yeah, Grandma, I'm here."

"Well, think about what I said. Don't go doing anything stupid. And if you ever want

to visit your wife, you can-as long as she wants to see you. I won't stop you."