My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Right after, Marcus went to the bathroom and filled the tub so they could bathe both babies at the same time and put them to bed quickly.

The trip had been long, and although the twins behaved for most of it, they eventually got restless and wanted to be carried through the airplane aisles.

John had already taken a bath. His plan was to stay awake and video call Ethan to show him the room, but the moment he lay down and felt the softness of his bed, he fell sound asleep.

By the time Valerie and Marcus had finished bathing, feeding, and putting Caro and Beto to sleep, they went to check on John, who was completely knocked out.

It was amazing that he was only six and already so independent. He could do lots of things on his own-as long as they were within reach of his little hands.

"I think it's our turn now. Let's take advantage of the quiet and grab a long bath and some rest," Marcus said, taking his wife's hand.

They walked into their bedroom, looked around, and were instantly flooded with memories—most of them beautiful moments shared as a family of four. Lazy afternoons watching TV, playing with the kids, and those intimate moments only they had shared.

"You know I love you, right?" Marcus whispered, hugging her from behind.

"I love you too, my love. I love you so much, and I'm so happy by your side... I love our family. I love the peace and fulfillment I feel when I'm with you," Valerie answered, speaking from the heart.

That house brought her a deep sense of calm. Even though she felt comfortable in their home in Valentia, it didn't mean she loved it completely.

Valentia was a beautiful country, no doubt, but the memories of her youth often weighed more heavily than anything good about the place.

Even if she had found peace with her past, there were things better left alone— and many of those were memories.

What still hurt the most was her grandfather's death. The second-to-last time she saw him, she had been terrified, in a foreign country, and she knew that most of the things she'd gone through were her heartless father's fault.

No matter how much therapy she went through, every time she remembered her father's abuse, her aunt's envy and gossip, her blood boiled.

She was just a child, a teenager, simply looking for love where there was none.

And where love did exist-her grandparents-her own father had kept it from her. That home she needed so badly was with them, but in the end, her father always got his way.

These days, she rarely wondered where her father or aunt ended up. She could ask Marcus to find out, but honestly, it would be like waking a ghost.

She knew full well that if her father were still alive, and found out she was married to a wealthy man, he'd definitely try to take advantage of Marcus-and she couldn't allow that.

She'd already seen firsthand what happened when a man didn't know how to run

a business-she'd lived it when her grandfather's thriving company fell into her father's hands.

So she didn't really care where he was. She didn't know if he was alive or dead, but either way, sometimes she just prayed that he was at peace... and far away from her.

Marcus noticed the sudden change in her expression-she'd gone quiet and serious. Gently, he lifted her chin and turned her face toward him.

"Is something wrong, my love?" he asked, concerned.

"No, sweetheart. I was just thinking about everything we've been through," Valerie replied, hiding the truth.noveldrama

"Are you sure?" Marcus asked again, not entirely convinced.

"Yes, everything's fine. I just got lost for a minute in memories of my grandpa."

"Have you thought about what you want to do with his ashes?" Marcus asked gently.

"My grandpa and I had so many plans. We wanted to travel the country and visit all these magical little towns. In the end, we planned to finish in Solaria. Maybe we could do something like that... What do you think?" Valerie asked sincerely.

"My love... You know I'll support you in whatever you want to do. Just tell me when and where to start," Marcus said, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Thank you! That's why I love you more than life itself!" Valerie replied, smiling tenderly at him.

That smile of hers could melt any wall Marcus might have had up-though, truthfully, there weren't any.

Valerie was his world. His family was his greatest motivation to be happy and to keep going every day. Valerie and their children were all he

needed to feel complete, and he wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.