My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Chapter 0302 +25 BONUS After a long day, Maximus finally arrived at a house that felt both familiar and distant. The air smelled of dampness, and the furniture was draped in sheets. The place was shrouded in darkness as he made his way to the study-a room that had once been his sanctuary. Feeling his way around, he found the light switch, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one. He searched for something to drink, relieved to find that the house remained untouched, just as it had been the last day he spent there.

He opened a window to let sfresh air in, then collapsed into the chair that had once been his companion, his father's, and likely even his grandmother's.

"Grandma, I'm hagain," Maximus said, staring out the open window. "You were right about everything. One day, I'd regret it all. And now, look at me. There's nothing left of the arrogant Maximus Palmer.” He let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, Grandma, if these walls could talk... If I could turn back time, how many things I'd do differently." Today, Maximus had chosen not to go home. Instead, he needed to be in the place that always felt like his true home. The mansion was filled with memories-not just of Mary, but of a twhen the Palmer family was happy. . There was a twhen he and Peter, as children, would run from one end of the house to the other, causing mischief. Their nanny, Emma, constantly scolded them for their antics. The gardens that their grandmother loved so much would end up filled with holes as they dug for buried treasure. They wanted a dog, but their father, Leonardo, had always refused.

Maximus and Peter would lie on the floor, staring at the celling, sharing their dreams. Just a pair of brothers, ten and twelve years old, planning their futures. Peter dreamed of traveling the world, surfing the waves in Brazil, exploring Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. He wanted to climb Mount Everest, beca pilot, and race at incredible speeds. Maybe one day, he'd even get a dog.

Maximus, inspired by the love between his parents, had different dreams. He imagined meeting a woman someday who would love him as his mother loved his father. He dreamed of working hard, buying a grand house, and owning a car as fast as his father's-though Leonardo never let them near it. He wanted a house big enough to finally have a dog or maybe two or three-and even a cat. He had already picked out a name.

"Max, you'll see when we're older, everything will be easier. Mom and Dad are always punishing us for everything. Look at now they didn't let us watch TV just because of those holes in the garden. They don't get it- we were searching for treasure," Peter had said, unapologetic.

"Peter, we really went too far this time. Those were Grandma's favorite roses. We'll fix them tomorrow," Maximus had replied, guilt-ridden.

The adult Maximus now sat in the sroom, lost in memories of those innocent days. The teenage years hadn't been as kind. After their mother's death, everything changed. His father had called him in for a serious talk and told him it was tto grow up and take on responsibility.

"I can't handle it all on my own," his father had said. "You need to help me. It's tfor you to step up.” At sixteen, Maximus was still grieving his mother, and now his father was stripping away his childhood. Dreams of racing cars and owning pets faded, replaced by the weight of responsibility.

He matured quickly, learning the skills needed to one day lead Palmer Group. But as Maximus stepped into adulthood, he and Peter drifted apart. Peter began experimenting with smoking, alcohol, and, occasionally, drugs. Maximus often covered for him until it becimpossible, forcing their grandmother, Catherine, to intervene. Peter eventually improved, though Maximus never understood why or how.

Then cthe day everything changed again. For reasons Maximus never knew, Peter pushed Alexia down the 1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0302 stairs. The brothers, once close, had grown distant. Maximus preferred to cling to their childhood dreams-their shared desire for a dog and simpler times.

"Oh, Peter," Maximus muttered, staring into his drink. "What happened to us? I liked the dreams we had as kids so much more. Sometimes I like to imagine you're off traveling the world, and one day, you'll cback with that dog we always wanted." Halfway through a bottle of cognac, Maximus felt a surge of determination. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he'd hesitated to call all night.

"Matthew?" "Yes! Where are you? Everyone's been looking for you!" "If by 'everyone' you mean Alexia... she's not my world. Not anymore..." Maximus slurred, his voice heavy with alcohol and pain.

"Maximus, are you drunk?" "A little. Nothing you haven't seen before..." "Where are you? I'm coming to get you. You shouldn't be driving like this. This isn't like you." "Matthew, that's the problem-I never do these things. And you know what? I've never felt better!" "Maximus... something's going on. You never drink, and you definitely don't get drunk without a reason. What's happening?"

"Matthew, stop scolding me. I get it, ၄ase you're like a father to me, but in case you haven't noticed i'm not fifteen anymore. I'm a 53-year-old man, and my life's a complete mess. But it's my life... "Maximus, don't be so hard on yourself." "Well, my dear friend, let's get to the reason I called you." "Go ahead."

"First, I need you to draft a memorandum. I want every shareholder to cto the company.

Exclude my younger kids, of course.

Add Mary and et my..." Maximus paused, almost saying something he wasn't ready to. !! my niece, Mary and Peter's daughter. It's tto hand over the percentage of the company that belongs to them. I want to get rid of this burden."

Matthew knew exactly what Maximus meant. He had only stayed at the helm of the company to ensure Mary and her daughter would receive their rightful share. Now that they were back in Valentia, Maximus could finally relinquish control. He'd been hesitant to trust Marcus entirely, mainly because of Mary and her daughter. But now that Marcus was married to Mary, it was a bitter pill for Maximus to swallow. "When do you wantto schedule the meeting? What time? And are you inviting your father?" "Tomorrow. The time? Set it for 3:00 p.m. That'll give my father enough tto get there. Understood?" Maximus's tone was calm but firm.

"Maximus, it's already 10:00 p.m. Most people are probably asleep by now." "Send it anyway. And message Bartz-tell him to bring Mary and Serenity. I'll arrive at 3:00 p.m. Don't expectany earlier," Maximus said, his voice steady, almost serene Matthew sighed but complied. "Understood. I'll take care of it." "Good. See you tomorrow," Maximus replied before ending the call.