My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 249

Chapter 0249 

[The past] 

#25 BONUS 

After leaving the cemetery, Marcus drove toward a destination he didn’t particularly enjoy visiting: Catherine’s mansion. Despite everything that had happened between them, he owed the woman respect. She had cared for him, saved his life, and never once wavered or considered disconnecting him. For that alone, he couldn’t completely distance himself from her. 

After a while on the road, he arrived at the estate. Leopold, the aging butler, had difficulty recognizing him at first, but once Marcus spoke, realization dawned on the older man. 

“Mr. Bartz? Is that you?” Leopold asked, still uncertain. 

“Hello, Leopold. Is Catherine here?” Marcus replied calmly 

“Yes, sir,” the butler answered, still startled. 

“I’d like to see her. Would that be possible?” Marcus asked patiently. 

Leopold’s scrutinizing gaze made Marcus uneasy, but he understood. This man had known him at a time when he was little more than a broken body, barely clinging to life. 

“Come this way, sir. I’ll let the lady know you’re here. She hasn’t been well lately, not since Mr. Peter’s passing. 

“I know, Leopold. I know,” Marcus said as he stepped into the mansion. 

Marcus had visited the house only a few times before, but he immediately noticed that something had changed. The atmosphere felt heavy, devoid of warmth. The once–lively home was now cold and lifeless, with no fresh flowers adorning the rooms. It was as though the house itself was dying alongside its mistress. 

For a brief moment, Marcus considered telling Catherine that Mary was with him. But he hesitated, recalling Leonardo and Maximus, and the memories of that dark day. He couldn’t risk revealing anything without consulting Valerie first. If Maximus, still married to Alexia, got wind of it, Valerie could be in danger. Marcus could protect her, but it was an unnecessary gamble to make now, 

Lost in thought, Marcus was startled by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing down the hall. Catherine appeared suddenly, wearing pajamas. Her face was gaunt, her eyes shadowed. Gone was the elegant woman who used to wear tailored suits, fine jewelry, and makeup. She now stood before him, her hair tied up messily, looking frail and tired. 

“My son! Why has it taken you so long to come?” Catherine said, tears filling her eyes. 

“Catherine, I..” Marcus began from his seat on the couch. 

“Marcus. You’re so ungrateful! You’ve abandoned me here” she said, clutching his arm. 

Her eyes searched his face as though she were looking for someone else–perhaps a shadow of Peter. They didn’t look alike, but Catherine knew how close the two had been, even closer than she was to her own son, Maximus, 

“Catherine, I came to Valentia for business and decided to visit you,” Marcus said, pulling her into an embrace. 

He had assumed she was angry at him for how he’d handled Peter’s death, but instead, she seemed relieved to see him. To her, Marcus was like a grandson. Maximus rarely displayed emotions, and Catherine resented that. Peter had been her baby, her pride and joy, and Marcus was a bridge to both of her sons, even if he wasn’t related by 

blood. 

As she hugged him, memories of happier times surfaced–those rare occasions when Marcus and Peter had been together. There had always been laughter and teasing, even during Marcus’s darkest moments when he had felt 

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Chapter 0249 

like nothing more than a living shell. Peter’s humor had lightened even the most somber gatherings. 

+25 BONUS 

“Leopold, please have them prepare something delicious. Pizza for the young man!” Catherine ordered with a commanding tone. 

Seeing Marcus seemed to have restored a spark of life in her. Marcus, however, was taken aback by how fiercely she clung to him. 

I 

Catherine, calm down. I’m only here for a short visit. You know I don’t like being in Valentia,” Marcus said, trying to temper her enthusiasm. 

“I know, dear. But I hardly get visitors anymore. Seeing you here fills my heart. Please, don’t leave me alone for so long,” Catherine said, tears rolling down her cheeks. 

“Grandma, you know the only reason I came was because of…” Marcus started, but she interrupted him. 

Shh.