My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 1004

Outside the room where Alden and Peter spoke, Maximus and Magnus stood together, discussing what would happen after the wedding.

"Have you decided what you’re going to do about Paul and his real father?" Magnus asked, his tone filled with concern.

"Yes. I talked it over with Lucius and Laura, and we all agreed that keeping the truth from him would only make things worse.

"After Serenity’s wedding, I’ll set a date to tell Paul everything and let him decide what he wants to do. I know he’s still young, but I want him to feel free to make the best choice for himself."

Magnus pulled his son into a brief but firm hug. He could see how much this was weighing on Maximus. He knew exactly what this kind of pain felt like—he had spent fifty years unable to be part of his son’s life. Now that they were finally together, they still struggled to fully connect.

"I know Paul will make the right decision," Magnus reassured him. "And I know he will never blame you. His father isn’t at fault either. We all make stupid choices—hell, we’re practically programmed to be idiots. Paul will understand that."

"I know," Maximus sighed. "I know he’ll understand. But what I fear most is that he’ll want to go. That he’ll want to meet his father. It sounds like a good life, but it’s not. That world is full of things I’ve spent years trying to protect him from."

"Maybe," Magnus admitted, "but you can’t decide for your children. They will forge their own paths. If Paul chooses to take on the responsibilities of the Legrand family, he will, and you won’t be able to stop him. What you can do is guide him.

"You yourself took over the Palmer conglomerate at 18, and you didn’t do such a bad job."

"Thanks, Dad," Maximus chuckled. "But look how that ended—there’s nothing left of it now."

"Come on," Magnus said with a knowing smirk. "You and Peter are building something new. Don’t try to deny it."

Maximus exhaled heavily, shaking his head.

"Yeah, we are. It’s a project for our children. It’s time to unify, to turn all our hard work into something real. We don’t have a final name yet, but it will represent the Palmer, Evans, and Bennett families.

"This is how the story began… but now, with actual rules in place, clear guidelines, and nothing to hide."

"I’m glad to hear that. In the end, everything will be fine. You will be fine. Your children, your grandchildren, and the entire family you are now building—everything will come together, little by little."

Magnus then shifted the topic.

"By the way, whatever happened to Matthew Rice?"

Maximus’s expression softened with nostalgia.

"My old friend…" he murmured. "He retired. He’s enjoying a long and well-earned rest on a distant island."

"Really?" Magnus asked, genuinely surprised.