My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 530

Chapter 0530 

+25 BONUS 

Peter drove his truck at full speed, the weight of his decision pressing heavily on him. He feared the consequences, but he knew that anyone who had learned of his existence could expose the truth. And the only truth that mattered was the one he had lived–the one no one else knew, the sad reality where their future together had been stolen. 

When he finally arrived at the house of his old love, he parked the truck, pulled out a cigarette, and anxiously smoked it to the end, hoping to calm his nerves. Peter knew this was just a placebo. His hands were clammy, a sharp pain twisted in his stomach, and his throat felt tight. He tried not to overthink. He was already there, and there was no turning back. 

He leaned his head back against the seat, closed his eyes for a moment, and then checked the time. He had three hours to deal with this before he needed to pick up Ethan–his grandson–from school. The thought struck him as absurd: after confronting his old love, he would return to his life, as if nothing had happened, and take Ethan to the movies. 

Life had a cruel way of reminding him that she had never been meant for him. That much was clear. In the years he lacked his memory, Peter had entertained the possibility that they were never supposed to be together. He should have stepped aside the moment Maximus set his sights on her, when his brother proposed and married her. Life wasn’t fair to a pair like them. Perhaps they were only ever meant to be friends, Peter thought–friends who supported each other in good times and bad. But instead, he had pushed her to accept him. She had been vulnerable when he proposed being the father to her child. Looking back with clearer eyes, he realized he had taken advantage of her. She had just been divorced, pregnant, and alone, with no family or support. Her automatic response had been one of survival. 

Analyzing it coldly, Peter admitted he had been an opportunist. She, in her innocence, mistook it for love. But if he were honest, he had also been motivated by petty revenge. Marrying his brother’s ex–wife–Maximus’s ex–wife- felt like a strike to the pride of the man who had abandoned her. 

And yet, these were all just excuses to delay opening the door and walking up to that woman. As he wrestled with these painful memories and self–justifications, the gate suddenly opened, and out walked Camille, Emma, and John. 

Peter immediately recognized Emma, a woman about twenty years his senior who had once acted as his mother figure. For some reason, she had stayed with Maximus, and now with Valerie. Watching them disappear down the road, Peter finally opened the car door, adjusted his coat, and strode purposefully toward the gate. He rang the bell. 

Inside the mansion, surrounded by tall walls, Valerie lay on the sofa with her twins. She had wanted to take John to school herself, but a sharp pain in her abdomen had kept her home. Blaming her discomfort on her constant emotional swings, she decided to rest. Just as she was about to drift off, the distant sound of the doorbell startled her. 

One of the cleaning staff, a younger woman, went to answer the door. 

“Yes?” 

“Is this the Bartz residence?” 

“Yes, sir. Who are you looking for?” 

Peter’s hand trembled, but he could no longer turn back. 

“Mar… Valerie Bartz…” he said, stumbling over her name with discomfort. 

1/2 

Chapter 0530 

“Oh, I see. You’re looking for Mrs. Bartz?” 

“Yes, but she’s not feeling well. Let me check with her first!” 

+25 BONUS 

Peter almost decided to leave, but before he could, the door opened wider, and an older woman appeared. “Forgive the girl–she’s new and hasn’t learned all the family members‘ names yet,” the woman said calmly. 

“No problem. I came to see Valerie Bartz, but if she’s unwell, I can return later.” 

“Greta, who is it?” a voice called from deeper inside the house. 

“Ma’am, there’s someone here to see you. Sir, may I have your name?”