My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 656

Chapter 0656 

Alden quickly exited the room, needing to distance himself before emotions escalated further. He prided himself on his control, but Serenity’s vulnerability, beauty, and the connection they had shared threatened to push him past his limits. This wasn’t the right place, nor the right time especially given the trauma she had just endured. Worse still, the perception of them as “cousins” added a layer of complexity that they would need to address eventually. 

When Alden reached the ground floor, he found his father, Peter, and uncle, Maximus, locked in a heated argument. Maximus had Peter by the collar, shaking him in frustration. Alden stepped forward instinctively to intervene, but Peter signaled with a subtle gesture for him to stay back. 

Peter understood Maximus’s rage and guilt. His brother’s children had been placed in unimaginable danger, and had Alden arrived even minutes later, there was no telling what Leonardo might have done to Serenity. While the children were now safe in the secure house, the looming threat of Leonardo still hung heavily over them all. 

“What’s the next step in your damned plan? Tell me, Peter! Maximus demanded, finally releasing his brother. 

“To be honest, I never imagined Leonardo would go after the children,” Peter admitted, his voice heavy with regret. “And I certainly didn’t anticipate him being twisted enough to desire your daughter…” 

At that, Alden interjected, trying to redirect the conversation. 

“Why don’t we send the children out of the country? Valeria, Camille, and Emma could go with them to ensure they’re cared for while we handle this. I can assign a security team to protect them wherever they go.” 

The suggestion hung in the air, and everyone turned to look at Alden. 

“Valerie can’t travel,” Frederick said after a moment. “Her doctor has advised that she stay hospitalized for at least a week for monitoring. What happened with Marcus left her in shock, and Camille is with her now, taking care of her.” 

“Is she all right?” Peter asked, genuine concern in his voice, 

“She’s stable, but traveling isn’t an option right now, especially with how far along she is in her pregnancy,” Frederick explained. 

Maximus, processing this, spoke next. “In my case, Laura could travel. She’s only three months along, so as long as the journey isn’t too far, it should be manageable. If Emma accompanies her, they could help look after Serenity and the children. What do you think, Frederick? John could go with them too. Obviously, we can’t tell Marcus anything. No one outside this room can know about this plan.” 

Frederick hesitated, clearly torn. “I don’t know, Maximus. That decision isn’t entirely mine to make…” 

Upstairs, Serenity remained in the room, her fingers grazing her lips. She couldn’t understand why she had acted the way she had with Alden. For days, she had wondered what it might feel like to kiss him, and now that it had happened, it exceeded every expectation. That kiss awakened feelings she couldn’t describe–desire, longing, and a strange, insatiable need for more. 

Standing, she surveyed the room. It was clearly a man’s space, and as her eyes fell on the nightstand, she noticed pictures of Alden and Ethan. The realization that she was in Alden’s room sent a strange thrill through her, a mix of nerves and excitement. 

Opening the bag Alden had left her, she found a summer dress and a pair of flats. Serenity rarely–if ever–wore such simple clothing. As she slipped into the outfit, it felt foreign, but at least it was comfortable. 

Chapter 0656 

Descending the stairs, Serenity overheard fragments of the conversation. Her heart sank as she caught the words arrested” and “hospital.” Quickening her pace, she interrupted, her voice shaking with emotion. 

“Frederick, can you repeat what you just said? Why is my father in jail? And my mother–what happened to her? Is she okay?” 

The group fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances. 

“Serenity, sweetheart…” Maximus began gently. “Your father had an altercation with the authorities, but our best lawyers are working to get him out.” 

“What is he being accused of?” she pressed.