My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 971

Theodore had remained silent, listening.

He had never seen things the way she did.

To him, the entire situation had been something he had buried deep in his past—something he never spoke about, something he simply left behind. But being back in the Emirates, returning to Dubai, retracing his steps… it had sparked something in him. It made him curious—too curious.

And now, looking at her—those deep, dark eyes gazing up at him—he felt something shift inside him.

For a moment, it was as if he was seeing her for the first time all over again.

"Fiona, I…" He exhaled heavily. "I am not like the men you will meet here. I grew up this way. What you see is what you get.

"I know that when I told you and Adam that you would live in my house and that from now on, you would be my wife… I didn’t do it the right way. And for that, I apologize. I only thought about protecting you."

"Protecting me from what, my lord?" Fiona asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"I know it is unacceptable for a woman to live with a man unless they are married. That’s why I rushed the process. I only wanted to give you and my son everything you didn’t have—everything you lacked."

Theodore took a deep breath before continuing.

"Fiona, you need to understand something. I am not a romantic man. I don’t know how to be. I’ve lived my entire life this way, and at this age, I don’t think I can change… I just want you and our son to have the best."

"My lord… I am happy with what you have given us. I am happy with what you have done for us… I need nothing more," Fiona said, squeezing his hands with her delicate fingers.

"Fiona… that is the problem. You shouldn’t be happy with so little. You deserve more. You deserve someone who can give you the love and affection that I cannot."

"My lord… what are you trying to say?"

"Fiona, I want you to be honest with yourself. Tell me—what do you want? What are you looking for in all of this?"

She looked at him for a long moment, then finally whispered, "What kind of question is that, my lord? I only want you to want me…"

Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was afraid of his answer.

Theodore felt something in him tighten.

He didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand.

How could this woman possibly want to be with him?

He was no longer young. He wasn’t an Adonis like Peter or Maximus. He still had his strength, yes, but he was no prize—he had nothing to offer her.

"What do you see in me, Fiona?" he asked quietly. "Can’t you see that I’m at the end of my life? I have lived more years than I ever expected to. I would rather give you your freedom so you can find someone else—someone who can love you, someone who can truly be with you."