My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 291

Chapter 0291 

“What?” Serenity exclaimed, her face a mix of shock and offense. 

“Don’t take it the wrong way. No one doubts your paternity, But my father wants proof that you’re the child your mother was carrying when she disappeared. I’ve tried to convince him it’s unnecessary, but he refuses to remove the clause. That’s why I’m asking you. You’re of age, so I don’t need your mother’s permission. I know exactly what her response would be, but I want to hear what you think.” 

Serenity sat there, speechless. She hadn’t expected this revelation. She never imagined her biological father had left her anything. To her, Marcus had always been her father–the one who raised her, taught her to fend for herself, and encouraged her to build her own fortune just as Peter had. 

“Why are you asking me this now? I feel like you’re hiding something I know you’re not a man to be trusted, and this seems too good to be true,” Serenity said, her voice filled with suspicion. 

“No, there’s no hidden trick in this,” Maximus said, his voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. “But I’ll be honest with you I’m tired. I know your father wants the company. I’m not stupid. I’ll give it back to him, just like that. I don’t want any more problems. I want to spend more time with my children.” 

He paused, his gaze shifting briefly to the window. “I recently had paternity tests done for my children. All this time I’ve been married, I lived a lie. Lucius was the only one I was certain was my son. Now that I know the truth, all I want is a simpler life. I want to be there for my kids. But staying on as CEO? Do you think I’d be able to do that? Of course not. Big changes are coming, and I believe you’re ready to manage the percentage I’m giving you. You told me you wanted to work in the company. Well, now you won’t just be an employee–you’ll be one of the owners.” 

Η 

“But, Maximus, when I said that, I didn’t mean I wanted to become what you’re describing,” Serenity replied, her voice shaking slightly with unease. 

“Serenity, you have a good father,” Maximus reassured her “He can manage your shares until you’re comfortable taking control yourself. But you need to accept them. If you don’t, those shares will have to be redistributed among the other shareholders. That was your great–grandmother Catherine’s stipulation. If you and your mother hadn’t returned, the shares would have been divided among my children. I stayed in charge of the company 

all these years because I believed you two would come back. I knew Catherine wasn’t wrong, I just didn’t know when. Now that you’re here, I know it’s the right thing to give you what’s yours by birth.” 

“I’m not sure this is the right decision, Maximus. Can I think about it? What should I do? I need time. I can’t just decide something like this on the spot,” Serenity said, her voice a mix of confusion and determination. 

*Tunderstand,” Maximus replied, his tone calm. “I’d prefer we resolve this today, but take your time. I don’t- want you to feel pressured.”