My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 227

Chapter 0227 

Valerie left without giving Serenity a chance to join her. Her security team was alerted and followed her at a discreet distance. Those tasked with her protection assumed she had errands to run, so they didn’t notify Marcus. 

After driving for a while, she arrived at Pizzeria, a café–bar located in an exclusive restaurant district in Westhaven. The place was in plain sight, bustling with people, which helped Valerie feel less tense. If Maximus tried anything, he’d be exposed. A waiter approached the stunning woman, offered her water, and handed her the menu. Without looking, she ordered an Americano and a slice of strawberry cake–she needed to rid herself of the bitter taste in her mouth. 

A short while later, the waiter returned with her order. He glanced at her curiously–this beautiful woman was sitting alone, seemingly waiting for someone who might never show up. Eventually, a handsome, mature man dressed in a sleek black suit arrived to join her. The waiter couldn’t help but think they made a striking pair. Despite Valerie’s simple summer dress, her natural elegance made it look as though the outfit had been tailored just for her. 

“Mary…” Maximus began, as though trying to string together more words. 

Valerie gave him a cold stare, her irritation evident. 

“Hello, Maximus Palmer. Here I am. What do you need to talk about?” 

Maximus’s eyes fell on the table, where her Americano and the familiar slice of strawberry cake sat. It tugged at his heart–this beautiful woman still clung to those simple pleasures. 

“Mary, I don’t want to fight. I just want to talk…” Maximus said, trying to mediate. 

*Maximus, all this time I haven’t needed to speak with you about Serenity. What made you think I’d want to now?” Valerie shot back, meeting his gaze. 

Maximus scrutinized her. Inside, Valerie was as nervous as she’d been at eighteen, but she didn’t let it show. All she projected was her anger. 

‘Mary, will you at least let me sit down before you attack me?” Maximus asked, pulling out the chair. 

As he took her in, he realized how much she had changed. Time had been kind to her, but her personality was entirely different now. 

“Valerie, my father and I searched for you for years. Eventually, he gave up, deciding it wasn’t worth the effort anymore. We both realized you didn’t want to be found. The one who suffered the most from your disappearance: was Grandma Catherine.” 

Valerie sipped her coffee and replied, “Maximus, are you even listening to yourself? Do you really think I’m still stupid enough to believe you?” 

She still remembered the day his father had nearly taken Serenity, intending never to give her back. 

Mary, 

I don’t understand why you’re so defensive!” 

“Maximus, your father came to my country to steal my daughter. That made your family’s intentions crystal clear.” 

Maximus froze in shock. He’d had no idea his father had tracked her down. 

“Mary, I didn’t know! As far as I knew, my father decided to stop looking for you. When Grandma Catherine passed away, he went to Nepal. Since then, we’ve only communicated digitally or by phone.” 

“That’s something only you would know, Maximus. What do know is that I endured moments of absolute 

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anguish. Your father was relentless and wanted to take my daughter away from me.” 

“I’m so sorry that happened! I don’t excuse it, but Grandma Catherine was in a terrible state. I think he believed that bringing Peter’s daughter to her would help her recover.” 

“That’s no justification for trying to steal her! Your father found out my husband gave her his name, and he lost his mind. He told me, ‘She’s a Palmer, not a Bariz!“” 

“Mary, I…” Maximus trailed off, struggling to process everything. He didn’t even know where to begin.