My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 164

Chapter 0164 

As Maximus, Marcus, and Valerie continued their tense conversation, Alexia Levett arrived at the hotel in her usual dramatic fashion. Stepping out of her sleek sports car, she handed the keys to the valet with a haughty air, her red, form–fitting dress leaving little to the imagination. Knowing that Marcus Bartz would be present, she had gone home to change into something more striking, disguising her vanity as a “business meeting.” 

Walking confidently through the corridors of the St. Regis, Alexia radiated poise, but her mood was about to sour. She had no idea who would be joining this dinner or what revelations awaited her. 

When she arrived at the bar and asked for Marcus’s table, the maître d‘ escorted her with polite precision. As she approached, Maximus saw her and immediately noticed the deliberate change in her attire. He sighed inwardly, guessing she had an ulterior motive, but as a gentleman, he stood and pulled. out her chair with all the decorum of a devoted husband. 

“Marcus, Valerie, may I introduce my wife, Alexia Levett,” Maximus said, his tone even but formal. 

Alexia’s confident expression faltered the moment she saw Valerie sitting beside Marcus. Her face hardened, and the warm smile she’d been wearing transformed into a tight, thin line. She recognized her immediately–this was no ordinary guest but a ghost from her past. The same woman she had once terrorized, threatened, and driven out of Valentia. 

“Pleasure to meet you,” Marcus said, standing to greet her and extending his hand. “Marcus Bartz. And I imagine you’ve already met my wife, Valerie Bartz Hunter?” 

Valerie rose gracefully, meeting Alexia’s gaze head–on “Hello, Alexia. It’s been so long. You haven’t changed a bit… I almost didn’t recognize you,” she said with an icy smile. 

The deliberate jab at Alexia’s evident Botox use struck nerve. But Alexia wasn’t about to let it slide. You… you’re Mary Preston! Why are they calling you Valerie? That’s not your name!” Alexia said, her tone sharp and accusatory, her composure cracking. 

“My wife had to change her name for her safety,” Marcus interjected, his calm and composed tone contrasting Alexia’s growing frustration. “There were serious threats against her life. It was necessary.” 

“Wait… did you say wife?” Alexia asked, her voice incredulous. 

“That’s correct,” Maximus replied, irritation creeping into his voice. “Marcus and Valerie have been married for fifteen years.” He turned to Alexia with a cold stare. “It’s highly inappropriate to interrogate our guests like this. Please, take a seat and let’s have dinner.” 

Alexia sat, but her forced smile betrayed her simmering anger. She glanced between Valerie and Marcus, searching for a weakness to exploit. 

“My apologies,” Alexia said sweetly, though the venom was clear beneath her words. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. Mary–sorry, Valerie–you were going to marry Peter, weren’t you?” 

“Alexia,” Maximus snapped, his glare sharp enough to silence her. “We can have dinner without this line of questioning.” 

“Oh, forgive me,” Alexia said with mock sincerity. “I just wanted to clarify things. After all, it’s such an 

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intriguing situation, isn’t it? You’re my husband’s ex–wife, you were engaged to his late brother, and now you’re married to his best friend. Quite the entanglement, wouldn’t you agree?” 

Valerie’s smile never faltered. “You seem very well–informed, Alexia,” she said, her voice cold but steady. “Almost as if you remember everything that happened before I left Valentia. You of all people should know how things unfolded. I doubt your memory or your sight have failed you.” 

Alexia’s eyes narrowed. “No, they haven’t. But I’m certainly… surprised.” 

Marcus, sensing Valerie’s rising tension, decided to defuse the situation. “Well, I think we should order. I’m starving,” he said with a broad smile. 

“Agreed,” Maximus said, picking up his menu, eager to change the subject 

The rest of the dinner proceeded without further verbal sparring, but the tension remained palpable. Marcus kept his hand on Valerie’s exposed knee, gently drawing circles with his finger in an attempt to soothe her. His touch reminded her to focus on the present and not let Alexia’s barbs get under her skin. 

Once the meal was finished, Marcus stood and paid the bill. “We’ll be heading home now. It’s been a long day, and we have a bit of a drive ahead of us.” 

Maximus nodded, though his mind was a storm of questions. He couldn’t stop watching Marcus’s hand resting protectively on Valerie’s waist, the way he leaned down to kiss her cheek. There was no mistaking the authenticity of their relationship–it was clear they were deeply in love. But the question burned in his mind: How had they ended up together? 

Alexia, on the other hand, was seething with silent fury. She didn’t miss the way Maximus’s attention lingered on Valerie throughout the evening. She could see it in his eyes–there were still unresolved feelings there. 1 

As Marcus and Valerie got into their car, Marcus couldn’t hide his grin. “Well, that went better than expected, don’t you think?” 

Valerie sighed, leaning back in her seat. “That woman… I swear, I could taste the venom in her words. Her irony was unbearable.” 

Marcus chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “She’s bitter, love. Did you notice how she could barely smile? Too much Botox, perhaps. It’s a shame; she used to be beautiful.” 

Valerie blinked. “What?” 

“Her face it doesn’t move properly anymore. She’s fighting time, but it’s clearly winning.” 

Valerie laughed softly. “Is that what you’ll say about me one day? When I have Botox, fillers, and all those things?” 

Marcus turned serious. “I prefer my Valerie as she is wrinkles, gray hairs, and all. You don’t need any of that nonsense.” 

“Good, because I’m terrified of needles,” Valerie admitted with a grin. 

Marcus laughed. “You had me worried there for a second. Don’t joke about that!” 

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Chapter 0164 

As Maximus, Marcus, and Valerie continued their tense conversation, Alexia Levett arrived at the hotel in her usual dramatic fashion. Stepping out of her sleek sports car, she handed the keys to the valet with a haughty air, her red, form–fitting dress leaving little to the imagination. Knowing that Marcus Bartz would be present, she had gone home to change into something more striking, disguising her vanity as a “business meeting.” 

Walking confidently through the corridors of the St. Regis, Alexia radiated poise, but her mood was about to sour. She had no idea who would be joining this dinner or what revelations awaited her. 

When she arrived at the bar and asked for Marcus’s table, the maître d‘ escorted her with polite precision. As she approached, Maximus saw her and immediately noticed the deliberate change in her attire. He sighed inwardly, guessing she had an ulterior motive, but as a gentleman, he stood and pulled. out her chair with all the decorum of a devoted husband. 

“Marcus, Valerie, may I introduce my wife, Alexia Levett,” Maximus said, his tone even but formal. 

Alexia’s confident expression faltered the moment she saw Valerie sitting beside Marcus. Her face hardened, and the warm smile she’d been wearing transformed into a tight, thin line. She recognized her immediately–this was no ordinary guest but a ghost from her past. The same woman she had once terrorized, threatened, and driven out of Valentia. 

“Pleasure to meet you,” Marcus said, standing to greet her and extending his hand. “Marcus Bartz. And I imagine you’ve already met my wife, Valerie Bartz Hunter?” 

Valerie rose gracefully, meeting Alexia’s gaze head–on “Hello, Alexia. It’s been so long. You haven’t changed a bit… I almost didn’t recognize you,” she said with an icy smile. 

The deliberate jab at Alexia’s evident Botox use struck nerve. But Alexia wasn’t about to let it slide. You… you’re Mary Preston! Why are they calling you Valerie? That’s not your name!” Alexia said, her tone sharp and accusatory, her composure cracking. 

“My wife had to change her name for her safety,” Marcus interjected, his calm and composed tone contrasting Alexia’s growing frustration. “There were serious threats against her life. It was necessary.” 

“Wait… did you say wife?” Alexia asked, her voice incredulous. 

“That’s correct,” Maximus replied, irritation creeping into his voice. “Marcus and Valerie have been married for fifteen years.” He turned to Alexia with a cold stare. “It’s highly inappropriate to interrogate our guests like this. Please, take a seat and let’s have dinner.” 

Alexia sat, but her forced smile betrayed her simmering anger. She glanced between Valerie and Marcus, searching for a weakness to exploit. 

“My apologies,” Alexia said sweetly, though the venom was clear beneath her words. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. Mary–sorry, Valerie–you were going to marry Peter, weren’t you?” 

“Alexia,” Maximus snapped, his glare sharp enough to silence her. “We can have dinner without this line of questioning.” 

“Oh, forgive me,” Alexia said with mock sincerity. “I just wanted to clarify things. After all, it’s such an 

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Chapter 0164 

intriguing situation, isn’t it? You’re my husband’s ex–wife, you were engaged to his late brother, and now you’re married to his best friend. Quite the entanglement, wouldn’t you agree?” 

Valerie’s smile never faltered. “You seem very well–informed, Alexia,” she said, her voice cold but steady. “Almost as if you remember everything that happened before I left Valentia. You of all people should know how things unfolded. I doubt your memory or your sight have failed you.” 

Alexia’s eyes narrowed. “No, they haven’t. But I’m certainly… surprised.” 

Marcus, sensing Valerie’s rising tension, decided to defuse the situation. “Well, I think we should order. I’m starving,” he said with a broad smile. 

“Agreed,” Maximus said, picking up his menu, eager to change the subject 

The rest of the dinner proceeded without further verbal sparring, but the tension remained palpable. Marcus kept his hand on Valerie’s exposed knee, gently drawing circles with his finger in an attempt to soothe her. His touch reminded her to focus on the present and not let Alexia’s barbs get under her skin. 

Once the meal was finished, Marcus stood and paid the bill. “We’ll be heading home now. It’s been a long day, and we have a bit of a drive ahead of us.” 

Maximus nodded, though his mind was a storm of questions. He couldn’t stop watching Marcus’s hand resting protectively on Valerie’s waist, the way he leaned down to kiss her cheek. There was no mistaking the authenticity of their relationship–it was clear they were deeply in love. But the question burned in his mind: How had they ended up together?