My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

"That's right. I'd like to speak with him alone, if you don't mind, Mr. Evans."

"I think you're misunderstanding something. Letting you into my home doesn't mean you get to decide whether I'm in the conversation or not. Still, I'm trying to be reasonable and if Paul wants to speak with you alone, only he can ask me for that."

"Fair enough... Let the boy decide," Pierre said, hoping the kid would say yes.

"Paul?" Maximus asked, breaking the tense silence.

"Dad, I think the sooner I get this over with, the sooner we can move on," Paul said seriously, tired of watching two grown men fight for his attention.

"Alright... I'll be in the study if you need me, son."

"Thanks, Dad."

With nothing more to say, Maximus stood up and walked back into the mansion, his chest tight, feeling a knot he couldn't shake.

Trying to distract himself, he went to see Adele. He knew time would pass easier if he was with his granddaughter.

Meanwhile, in the garden, Pierre stared at the boy, amazed. Since the last time he saw him, Paul had grown a lot—he was maturing, becoming a handsome young

man.

No doubt, once he was older, he'd be a very striking adult.

"I'm glad to see you again, Paul..." Pierre said, his throat tight.

"Mr. Legrand, I had no idea you were the so-called father my dad told me about."

"Paul, I know how this looks... but I want you to know, I never wanted to be far from you."

"What? Even after you and my mother cheated on my father, you still expected me to want to meet you?"

"I know how bad it looks, but—"

"But nothing, Mr. Legrand. Yeah, I'll admit, back then you were a pretty cool guy, we all thought so. But that doesn't change the fact that you had an affair with my mom while she was married, and I was the result.

"What right do you have to suddenly want to meet me? Don't you think it's humiliating enough that my dad raised a child that wasn't even his? The reason I never wanted to see you or meet you is that I don't care. I only have one father, and that's Maximus Evans. No one else is going to take his place."

"I understand... But if you'd just let me explain what happened, from my perspective "

"Mr. Legrand, no. I don't want to bond with the man who fathered me. Because to me, Maximus is my only father."

"I understand. But even if you don't accept me now, I'm willing to wait until you're ready. If I've waited all these years, I can wait longer-until you feel ready."

"Well, go home and get comfortable, because that day is never coming. As long as my dad is by my side, believe me I'll never need anything.

"Sure, he's not perfect. But he is my dad, and for better or worse, he's been in my life since I was a baby."

Pierre had expected a very different kind of meeting with his firstborn. Paul's attitude took him completely by surprise. He knew little about teenagers-and had no clue how intense they could be emotionally. It hit him harder than he expected. noveldrama

He had assumed Paul was shy and would gradually warm up to him—but the reality was the complete opposite. This boy had fire in him, and a temperament that clearly came from his mother.

With nothing left to say, Paul stood up and walked back inside. The butler, who'd been watching the whole thing from the kitchen, came out right away and offered more tea.

"No, I think it's time for me to go. Please say goodbye to Mr. Evans for me."

"Of course, sir. I'll pass on your message... Just try to understand the boy. This is

all very new, but believe me—with time, he'll come around to the idea."

Pierre was walking toward his car when he heard Maximus's deep voice behind him.

"Mr. Legrand... Leaving so soon?"

"I think so. I don't see any point in staying, not when it's obvious he wants nothing to do with me."

"Mr. Legrand, you're talking about a 15-year-old, not an adult.

Understand something-at that age, they say and do things without. thinking. Just like you and my wife did when you kept this fromme-but you two weren't teenagers.

"Well... Mr. Evans, I think it's clear he doesn't need me."

"No, he does need you. He just hasn't figured out why yet. Stay close. Because I'm sure that one day, he'll accept that he has a

biological father and be open net

hearing your side of the story In the end, whether we like it or not, we've all been victims of someone else—or simply of our own choices."

"Goodbye, Mr. Evans."

Those words—though Pierre wouldn't admit it—were comforting. They gave him a sliver of hope. Maybe Maximus was right. So he wouldn't shut the door

completely, just in case that day ever came.