My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 224

Chapter 0224 

Valerie and Marcus made their way down to the garden for Breakfast. The housekeeper had already set the table, and Serenity sat sipping her coffee, visibly uncomfortable. She felt awkward about arriving home earlier than planned, knowing her mother would sense that something had happened–even if she wasn’t prepared for the truth she was about to learn. 

“My 

ly little girl! How are you, sweetheart?” Valerie exclaimed, opening her arms to embrace Serenity. 

“Mom! I’m fine! I’m sorry for coming back without warning!” 

“Sweetheart, you never have to apologize for things like that. I’m just so happy you’re horne. Now we just need John, and we’ll all be together.” Valerie hugged her daughter tightly, showering her with kisses. 

“Dad, sit down! Let’s have breakfast. It’s been years since we all did this together,” Serenity said with a smile. 

“Like when you were the only one spoiled rotten?” Marcus teased, raising an eyebrow. 

“Come on, Dad!” 

“Alright, let’s eat. But I’ll have to leave soon with Frederick You two have a lot to talk about.” 

was 

Breakfast was peaceful, and the family’s joy at reuniting filled the air. Although Serenity’s early return unexpected, it brought an opportunity for conversations that had long been postponed–conversations Valerie needed to gather her courage to begin. 

“Well, my two beautiful ladies, I have to go. I’ve got some work to take care of, and the day is short. I’ll see you both at dinner. Serenity, listen to me–your mother loves and adores you. To us, you’ll always be our little girl. Got it?” 

“Yes, Dad! I love and adore you both, too!” 

“See you tonight, sweetheart. Don’t skip meals, and don’t tire Frederick out too much–he’s not as young as he used to be,” Marcus said, chuckling as he kissed Valerie goodbye. 

In Serenity’s mind, one thing was clear: her parents loved each other deeply, and she couldn’t have asked for a better family. 

Once Marcus left the house, Valerie sipped her coffee, mustering the courage to speak. She knew it was now or 

never. 

“Serenity… my love, your father told me you met a man named Maximus Palmer.” 

“Yes, Mom! But we didn’t do anything wrong. We just talked–that’s all. He seemed… like a very lonely man.” 

“Serenity, sometimes people reap what they sow. He’s no exception. That man isn’t good, and I don’t like that he interacted with you,” 

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“Mom, that’s exactly what Dad said! But why can’t you just be clear with me? Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? How do you two know him?” Serenity asked, frustration creeping into her voice. 

m 

“Serenity, I need you to calm down and listen to me. What about to tell you isn’t easy for me. It’s something I thought I had closed the door on, but now I see that’s not the case.” 

“Mom….” 

Chanter 0224 

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“I know Maximus. I know his family. And while I can’t say every member of the Palmer family is evil, they let ambition rule their hearts. When ambition outweighs love, they won’t hesitate to destroy anyone in their way.” 

“How do you know them, Mom?” 

“…I was 17 years old when your great–grandfather Albert and I fled to Valentia. He had been accused of embezzlement on a massive scale and didn’t have the money to pay back the debts. He turned to the Palmer family for help. Back then, I didn’t know anything about them. 

“When we arrived here, I was young, innocent… and, frankly, very naïve. I believed in love at first sight and thought everyone had good intentions. That was my downfall. The Palmer family helped us, but the price we paid was steep. Catherine Palmer, the family matriarch, took us. Then your grandfather left, and I never saw him again until his death–just as I’ve told you before. But the real story lies in what happened to me.” 

Valerie paused, steadying herself before continuing 

“At the end of it all, I ended up living in Maximus Palmer’s house. Catherine had two grandsons. I lived there for a little over a month, enough time for me to start falling for Maximus. I was inexperienced, and he was handsome. I’d never been close to any man besides your grandfather, so I became infatuated with him.” 

“Mom… did you and he…?” Serenity asked hesitantly. 

“Yes, Serenity. Maximus and I had a relationship. At first, it wasn’t official, but I was drawn to him. When he suddenly proposed, I was so enamored that I said yes without thinking it through.” 

“Mom, you married him?” Serenity said, wide–eyed. “But I’ve never heard anything about that. Everyone only knows him as Alexia Levett’s husband.” 

“Thanks to Alexia, my marriage to Maximus was a nightmare. I endured humiliation, physical abuse, and emotional torment. Though, in fairness, I stayed because I was scared. His family was caring for your great- grandfather, and I thought if I defied them, Maximus might hand him over to the police. That fear kept me there.”