My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 0197 

[The past] 

After a long journey, Catherine finally returned home carrying in her arms the only thing left of her youngest grandson–his ashes. The woman’s face was drawn, her features weary. It was clear she had been crying for a long time, unable to believe that only two days ago, she had seen him alive. 

As she had promised, she had taken Peter’s ashes, now her most treasured possession. There would be no lavish funeral as some had planned. Only the same priest who had officiated at Albert’s funeral would come. Afterward, the ashes would remain in her home. In the end, all the arguments over the arrangements before the ashes were released had been for nothing. 

The funeral mass was small, attended only by Catherine, Leonardo, and Leopold. Agnes, being too far away, could only be informed of the final decision, which had ultimately been made by Catherine. 

Catherine had lost so much that year. Albert had died in April, and, in an unexpected blow, death returned to the Palmer family just two months later, this time claiming Peter. Catherine’s health had suffered greatly; the only thing she could cling to had been her young granddaughter, and now she too had vanished like morning mist. 

Leonardo had tried to locate the girl using his contacts All he could uncover was that she had used Peter’s card to purchase a plane ticket to Mexico. Beyond that, he learned she had checked into a hotel near the city center under the name Angela Palmer. After that, all traces of her were lost. 

Nothing was left of the once–strong Catherine. Her loneliness ate away at her health, dragging her into a pit so deep that even her family feared she wouldn’t recover. Leonardo cursed Mary, considering her inconsiderate and selfish. He believed she had only been with his brothers for the status the Palmer name gave her, never sparing a thought for Catherine 

Meanwhile, on Maximus’s side of the family, the birth of his baby had disrupted all their plans. The grand wedding was canceled. As for Frank Levett, he had distanced himself from the family entirely, refusing even to meet his great–granddaughter. He had taken a leave of absence and retreated to his home in Switzerland. These sudden changes didn’t sit well with Alexia, who had longed to publicly embrace her new status as a Palmer. Legally, she already was, since Maximus had opted for a quick courthouse wedding while they were still at the hospital. Alexia had agreed, wanting to appear understanding, but everything had changed after that 

On Agnes’s side, she had gathered a few of Peter’s friends and acquaintances to hold a small but meaningful funeral. She had asked Marcus for permission to host it at his house, and he had no objections. Unfortunately, he couldn’t attend–he was still recovering from surgery and beginning rehabilitation, making long–distance travel impossible. 

Mr. Lawson, Aurora, Calum, Dolly, and others attended the gathering. None of them could believe Peter was gone. The circumstances surrounding his death didn’t make sense. He had always been meticulous with his cars. The idea that his brakes had failed felt impossible to accept. Mr. Lawson, in particular, found it all deeply suspicious, but he kept his thoughts to himself, maintaining the jovial demeanor everyone knew him for. 

Agnes hosted the funeral in the front garden, the same place where Peter had often walked with Mary. She had once dreamed of seeing children playing in that beautiful house. Now, that dream felt further 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 0197