My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 217

Chapter 0217 

+25 BONUS 

Marcus, after speaking with Olsen, returned to his office and was a bit surprised not to see Valerie’s bag. He called her, but she didn’t answer, so he tried Frederick instead. 

“Frederick, have you seen Valerie? I don’t see her bag in the office,” he said, feeling a tightness in his chest. 

When he asked Frederick, Marcus hoped he’d say Valerie hall stepped out briefly, but deep down, he knew something was bothering her. She wasn’t naive–she knew olsen wasn’t just anyone and likely sensed trouble brewing- 

“Oh! Valerie asked for permission to leave. She wasn’t feeling well. Now that I think about it, she did look pale, so I didn’t hesitate to let her go.” 

Η 

Marcus didn’t wait for more and rushed out. It was clear what was happening–he didn’t need to be a mind reader to understand that Valerie had misunderstood everything he had tried to avoid. He grabbed his car keys and hurried out, unsure of his destination. As he made his way to his car, he kept calling her repeatedly, but of course, she didn’t pick up. 

Valerie had left the office with a hollow feeling in her stomach that seemed to rise into her throat. She couldn’t stop it. It had been so long since she’d felt this way, and it caught her completely off guard. Not wanting to worry Camille or Serenity, she decided to walk instead. She sought refuge and ended up sitting on a bench by the lake that had been her companion so many times before. 

Valerie, always so naive,” she muttered to herself. “Fate keeps telling you this isn’t the way. Focus on Serenity and forget about all this love nonsense. It’s just not in the cards for you. You always lose.” 

Marcus had a hunch that Valerie wouldn’t go home. In the short time he’d known her, he’d learned that Serenity was always her priority. If Valerie wasn’t in the right mood, she wouldn’t go back home. He had a good idea where she might be. When he arrived at her favorite spot, there she was, sitting on that lonely bench, swinging her feet absentmindedly. 

“Valerie…” Marcus said nervously. 

Valerie didn’t want to turn around. She didn’t want to show her tear–streaked face. The lump in her throat was finally breaking free, and she cursed herself for ever showing Marcus this place. 

“Go away! I don’t want to talk to you!” 

“Valerie, we need to talk!” 

Finally, she turned, and Marcus saw her beautiful face streaked with tears. Her eyes and nose were red, and the radiant expression he loved was now dimmed. 

“Valerie, please… I know you’re upset, but I need you to listen to me,” Marcus said, approaching the bench. 

“No! I told you no! Can’t you respect that? I’m just someone to spend the night with!” she shouted, her lips trembling 

“Valerie… please…” 

“I’m such a fool. I always have been. I keep falling, but not this time. You said it yourself–I’m an adult, and I make my own decisions. So, Marcus, I don’t want to keep seeing you. I don’t want to relive what I’ve already been through. I won’t be the woman who waits while someone else comes back,” she said, avoiding his eyes. 

“Wait, Valerie…” Marcus took a deep breath, trying to process her words. “You can’t just end things between us because someone from my past showed up. We need to talk about this! And no, you’re not just someone to spend the night with. You mean so much more to me,” he said, feeling anxiety surge through him. 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 0217