My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 1115

[Sometime later]

"What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" Maximus asked as he approached Laura.

"Nothing, Dad. Why?"

"Come on, Laura. I'm older than you—I can tell when something's weighing on you," he said, watching how she tried to avoid his gaze.

"Dad… did you ever doubt the love you had for Mom?"

That caught Maximus off guard. And if he was honest with himself, it hadn't just been once—there were many times he'd questioned his feelings for Alexia.

"Yeah… I think I did. Why do you ask?"

"Okay… I'll tell you, but promise you won't judge me," Laura said, glancing at him nervously.

"When have I ever done that?"

"Never…" she admitted quietly.

"Then? I'm your dad, Laura. I'm here no matter what—whether I agree with your choices or not."

"It's about Adrian…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I figured," Maximus replied calmly.

"What?" Laura asked, surprised.

"He's the only guy I've seen who can leave you like this—so deep in thought."

"Dad…"

"So, what's going on?" he asked gently, encouraging her to open up.

"Seriously?"

"Whether or not you want him to be your partner again—that's something only time will show. If he truly loves you, he'll wait. If he doesn't… then life will handle it. You won't need to do anything but let time give you the answers."

"Thank you, Dad."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. I'll always be here when you need me. Take advantage of that. I won't always have the right answers, but I'll always try to give you the best guidance I can."

"For that—and everything else—thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you…"

"Well, I wish you would be… because I don't know what I'd do if you weren't," Laura whispered, pulling her father into a tight, heartfelt hug.