My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

After finalizing the last details of my fortune, I picked up the phone and called the one person who had the power to change my life forever.

"Peter?"

"Marcus..."

"What's going on? You don't usually call me twice..."

"Well... technically, you called me earlier..." I said, trying to sound casual.

"What's wrong?"

"You know I consider you a brother, right?"

"Yeah... You usually bring it up when we're drunk."

"Marcus... There's something I need to ask you."

"Are you getting sentimental?"

"A little... What would you do if I died today?"

"What the hell, Peter? We've talked about this before, and we left it in the past. Remember?"

"I'm not talking about suicide. I mean if I had an accident-my car failed, the brakes gave out, the tires blew out... Things that could happen." "Peter, what kind of question is that?"

"Just answer."

"Mmm... Well, you told me I'm the only one authorized to handle your affairs if anything ever happened to you-especially considering the kind of work we're involved in."

"Yeah... We've talked about that a lot. But now, things have changed. I have a wife. And soon, I'll have a child."

"I'm not really following where you're going with this..."

"Look... I had a nightmare today. It got me thinking. Mary is pregnant, and suddenly, I started wondering... Marcus, I'm not alone anymore. Back when we talked about this, if someone killed me or I died in an 'accident,' you were just supposed to take my body and bury me near my mother. Back then, no one would've cared. But now... now, it's different."

"Well, one thing's for sure. My offer still stands I'll be the one to handle your burial. And two, you never have to worry about your wife or child. Everything you have would pass to them. I don't know what kind of person your wife is, but she could be their legal guardian until one of them is ready to take over your estate."

"But... what if my family shows up? What if they try to enforce their will?"

"Peter... Let's be honest. That's definitely going to happen. You're Leonardo's son-there's no way they won't fight for control. But if you chose me to handle everything, then I'll do whatever it takes to make sure your wishes are carried out.'

I took a deep breath.

"Marcus... There's something you need to know."

"What is it? There's still something you haven't told me after all these years?"

"Mary is pregnant... but the baby isn't mine." I admitted, resigned.

Silence.

I knew exactly what he was going to ask, but he already had the answer.

"You know this is going to cause problems down the line, right? Have you thought about that? I doubt your brother will take it well if you hide something this big from him..."

"I know! But I don't know how to explain it to Mary. I was the one who convinced her. I was the one who pushed her to go along with this. And now I regret it—because I know this is going to bring a whole lot of trouble in the future."

"Then be honest with her. She has to understand that she can't deny Maximus his right to be a father. If he chooses to walk away from the responsibility, that's different-then he'd have no claim over the child. But you... you can't take that right away from him. Whether you like it or not, Maximus is the father."

I let out a tired sigh. "Marcus... You and I are both lost souls. You channel your pain by hunting down the people who killed your family. And I... I did it by sleeping with every woman who crossed my path. But tell me something... Have you ever thought about starting over? Falling in love again? Getting married?"

"Peter, what the hell are you asking? Of course not!" Marcus scoffed. "I fell in love once. I got married once. I had the chance to be a father once. And life—those damn bastards—took it all away from me. I could never start over. That would be like betraying Valentina. And not just her-my son too."

"Maybe you should rethink that..."

"Peter... you're seriously making me question your sanity today. We've had this conversation countless times, and we always agreed-love, for me, is dead and buried."

I knew how special Mary was. I knew their relationship wasn't something that happened overnight. Marcus wasn't the kind of man who fell easily. If they ended up together, it was because it took years for that to happen.

And that's when it hit me.

Marcus hated me—or at least resented me because I ruined all of that.

He never wanted to love again. He had locked his heart away. And then, he met Mary. She had woken something in him, pulled him out of his darkness.noveldrama

And when I reappeared... I shattered the peace he had built over twenty years.

His anger, his actions-everything he did-was just a reaction to his fear of losing it all.

I exhaled and smiled slightly.

"Forget what I said, Marcus. Just... promise me something. If I ever die—no, I'm not saying it'll happen today, don't freak out—but if I ever do... I'd be happy knowing you moved on."

"What are you talking about, Peter? Be more specific."

"I mean it, Marcus. Move on. You deserve a second chance. With whoever, however you deserve it. Nothing would make me happier than knowing you found someone to love again."

"You're really pushing it today, Peter..."

"No, I mean it. You-more than anyone deserve another chance. A chance to love. To be loved. To fall in love again. To be a father again. I'm telling you this as your friend. As your brother. You deserve to be happy—and I hope you allow yourself to be." Silence.

Then, finally, Marcus spoke.

"Thanks, Peter... I appreciate the

sentiment. But I'm sure of one thing-you and I are going to grow old together. I'll be alone, just like decided, and you-you, my

brother-you'll make me an uncle a thousand times over. I'll get to spoil my nieces and nephews, and life will reward me by letting me watch them grow up."

I chuckled softly.

"Marcus, I have to go. I think it's time for breakfast, I've really enjoyed this talk. I know we don't get to see each other often, but I appreciate you listening to all my nonsense. More than that, I'm grateful for everything you've taught me. And most of all... I'm grateful for the man I've become-because I know I wouldn't be who I am today without you."

"I hope we see each other soon. Take care, my friend."

"Same to you, Peter."

And with that, I hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and braced myself for whatever came next.