My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 169

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Serenity had been born from a tragic love story. Her early years were tough, though she was too young to remember most of it. As she grew older, one constant memory stood out–Marcus. To her, he had always been her father. Even though her mother, determined to keep Peter’s memory alive, had shared part of the story with her, Serenity knew her biological father was buried in Valentia. Her mother was all she had, but she often dreamed that one day Marcus would officially become her dad. 

Life changed drastically after her mother married Marcus. They moved out of the old neighborhood, and Serenity missed her little playmates. But at five years old, having a dad was her biggest dream come true. To Marcus, Serenity became the apple of his eye. Years passed, and when adolescence hit, her shifting moods occasionally led to clashes with her mother. Marcus often had to mediate their arguments. Sometimes their family dynamic was chaotic; other times, it was filled with love. Then her baby brother came along, and everything shifted. Serenity naturally took on the role of protective older 

sister. 

Even as a child, Serenity showed a knack for business. She sold candy to her classmates–not because gave she needed the money, but because she didn’t like relying on her allowance. Using what Marc her, she’d buy and resell candy on the sly. On more than one occasion, the school summoned Marcus to address the same problem: Serenity was selling candy toys, or jewelry she made in her mother’s workshop. 

Marcus thought this was brilliant. He began teaching her how to manage her small profits, keeping their little arrangement a secret from Valerie. He knew that if her mother found out he’d been called to the principal’s office more than once, Serenity would be in big trouble. He didn’t want Valerie to stifle her entrepreneurial spirit. 

By the time Serenity came of age, she was a natural at business. She helped her mother formalize her workshop into a legitimate business and managed its finances. Before Valerie made any major investment, she would consult Serenity, who would analyze the numbers and decide if it was worth it. Recognizing her talent, Marcus suggested she study International Business. She agreed and was in her fourth semester at university when the family decided to move to Valentia 

The news caught Serenity by surprise, but she accepted the change because it gave her a chance to develop another passion–photography. She was creative and loved taking and editing pictures. Moving to Valentia gave her an opportunity to sell her photos to advertising companies. In her free time, she would sneak away to capture memorable moments, selling the images online. Over the years, she had built a small fortune from her ventures. 

Marcus couldn’t have been prouder of her, though Valerie worried about her constant escapades. Balancing university with her photography projects wasn’t easy. Serenity was a good student, but the strain of juggling both often left her overwhelmed. 

When her parents moved to Valentia, Serenity begged and pleaded with them to let her visit Regina, a close friend of Valerie’s who occasionally visited their home. Marcus eventually convinced Valerie to agree, reasoning that if they didn’t, Serenity would find a way to go anyway. Her strong–willed nature sometimes overpowered even Valerie’s. 

Serenity’s plan was simple: before settling in Valentia, she wanted to visit Paris. She knew it was a romantic city with endless photography opportunities The trip would be a big investment, but it was 

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Chapter 0160