My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

After a long conversation, Celeste left the room, allowing a distressed Maximus to go in and see his brother.

"How are you?" Maximus asked cautiously.

"I'm fine! The headache is gone..." Peter said as he got comfortable in bed.

"I had to tell her. I couldn't keep hiding it anymore, Peter," Maximus said, feeling a bit guilty.

"I know! At first, I thought you were an idiot, but I think things turned out okay," Peter said calmly. "Okay? What happened?"

"You're getting a little nosy lately, don't you think?"

"Peter! I'm worried about you, and you're giving me half-truths!"

"Okay, okay. I didn't want to tell Celeste anything because I didn't want to worry her. But you told her everything. I know I must have done terrible things for her not to want me around, but after what you told her, she's back to being herself and... Thank you, Maximus! I know I shouldn't have kept it from her, but I didn't want her to see me as some kind of freak. I didn't want her to pity me. I was afraid of losing her." "Peter..."

Maximus and Peter had grown apart after their mother's death. They barely knew anything about each other. But in less than a year, they were finally getting to know one another. Each carried their own guilt, fears, and worries. Each bore the weight of their past actions. The fact that Mary had appeared in their lives had forced them to cross paths more than once.

Peter remembered that ever since

he had been sent to Galea, there had only been one or two times he'd actually seen his brother. Most of the time, they only heard from each other through phone calls, which usually ended in insults, or through the media. Their relationship was practically nonexistent. Neither of them planned to stay by Mary's side, but looking on the bright side, she had brought them together. Now, they actually had a brotherly bond. Now, neither of them would be

alone.

"I know it's hard to understand, but I don't know if you've ever felt something similar. I remember the first time I saw Celeste-something in me changed. I didn't want to accept it at first, but my eyes landed on her face, and from that day on, I couldn't think of anyone else. I started showing up almost daily for Ethan. I never told anyone this, but... I know it wasn't right, but just seeing her for a couple of seconds was enough to make me feel okay.

"Celeste is an incredible woman. When we went to Slovenia, I had the chance to get to know her better. I know it was rushed, but that time together showed me the kind of woman she is strong, loving, intelligent. We always have so much to talk about. She's taught me about painting and how to interpret all the artwork Theodore buys.

"To be completely honest,

Maximus... I'm scared of dying. I'm scared something will go wrong. Before, I only worried about keeping myself together, but now... all I care about is her and my kids. I know it might sound cold, but... Alden is Ethan's father. They've beeno together for almost six years. If I die, they'll have each other. But the little ones that haven't even been born yet... They worry me. Celeste worries me. She already lost someone she loved. I don't want to put her through that again."

"Peter, brother, don't think like that. Just focus on getting through the surgery. No matter what happens, you won't be alone. Look at yourself. Twenty years ago, after everything that happened, even though Theodore initially used you for his plans, he never abandoned you. No matter what, he was there. You two built a strange friendship, even as hitmen. He respects you, and you respect him.

"This time, you're not alone. You have Celeste and your future children, Alden and your grandson Ethan, Theodore, and you have me and my family. You're not alone, and you never will be again. If you go through with the surgery and everything turns out fine, we'll work together to rebuild our strange Palmer Evans family. It's time to pull that sinking company out of the hole. You're going to get married properly-no more just living together. You're way too old for that nonsense. You'll see your kids and grandson grow up. Maybe you'll even see Alden get married. We still have many years to live before we die. Remember, 'Bad weeds never

die.""

"Where do you even get these famous quotes from?"

"Emma... That woman keeps teaching me a lot... By the way, Alden is on his way back to Valentia. He'snoveldrama

bringing everyone with him. I'm sure Ethan can't wait to see you."

"Let Marcus know! He must be eager to see Jonathan and Serenity. That little girl..."