My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

After that conversation, Laura felt a little better. She lay down and fell asleep next to her daughter. It was past 11:00 p.m. when the door to her room opened. Feeling someone's gaze on her, Laura woke up with a start-but then she realized who it was.

Standing in front of her was someone she had missed for a long time.

"Lucius... Brother!" Laura gasped before throwing herself at him. "It's you! You're here!" She cupped his face, staring at him, still unable to believe it.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and for once, Lucius couldn't play the tough guy. This was his little sister—his baby sister, the one he had always protected, always cared for.

He hugged her tightly before pulling away, his eyes landing on the small girl sleeping peacefully in bed.

"Hey... My niece is beautiful! She's perfect!"

Laura wiped her tears, looked at him again, then got up from the bed and hugged

him tightly.

"Where have you been? I missed you so much!" she said, clinging to him.

"I was on vacation, but I'm back-for a few days, at least," Lucius said excitedly.

"For a few days? You're not staying?" Laura asked, intrigued.

"We'll talk about that later. Let me admire my niece while she sleeps. But first, tell me-how have you been?" Lucius said, his eyes still on little Adele.

"I'm good... I'm fine," Laura replied, trying to steady her emotions.

"That 'fine' didn't sound very convincing. What's on your mind?" he asked, ruffling her hair.

"Nothing important. Just... girl stuff," Laura said, trying to brush it off.

"Speaking of girls... There's someone I want you to meet," Lucius said, a spark of excitement in his voice.

"What?" Laura asked, surprised.

"Someone's here with me, and I want you to meet her," he said, keeping up the mystery.

"You got married? Your wife? Lucius, don't start with your nonsense," Laura said in a serious tone.

"No, I didn't get married! And look at you, acting like you have room to talk," Lucius teased.

"Touché!" Laura laughed.

"Come on, let's go to the living room. Maximus's with her," Lucius said, taking her hand and leading her out of the room.

"Lucius, who did you bring? Just tell me already!" Laura demanded impatiently.

"What happened to my patient little sister?" he teased.

"Maybe if you just told me who it was, I wouldn't be so impatient, don't you think?" Laura shot back, glancing at him as they walked down the hall.

Lucius looked different. More

mature. Even taller. His style was more polished, his demeanor more composed, and even the way he carried himself had changed.

As they reached the living room, Laura heard her father chatting animatedly with someone. It was woman's voice, cheerful and

unfamiliar-not Diana's. That

immediately piqued her curiel

swnevel.n

"Laura, my dear sister, meet Amanda. Amanda Hayward," Lucius said as he stepped aside.noveldrama

Laura looked at the young woman and instantly knew she was... different. "Nice to meet you, Laura!" Amanda said confidently.

"The pleasure is mine, Amanda. I finally get to meet one of my brother's girlfriends!" Laura said excitedly.

Amanda blushed deeply. She wasn't even sure what she and Lucius were, but when he told her he was going to see his siblings, he also said he didn't want to travel alone-he wanted her to come with him. She hadn't thought too much about it. Well, she had hesitated for five minutes and then agreed. She hadn't really wanted to leave New Zealand, but for a short trip? And in a private jet? She figured, why not?

"Laura!" Lucius groaned, clearly embarrassed.

"It's the truth, brother mine! I'm excited to finally meet one of your girlfriends,"

Laura teased without holding back.

"What, no hug for me?" Maximus interrupted, opening his arms.

"Dad! Of course!" Laura beamed, running into his embrace.

Feeling his warmth, all the bad memories faded for a moment, replaced by a deep sense of nostalgia that brought tears to her eyes.

"Don't leave like that again... Please," she whispered, wiping her tears away.

Lucius watched the scene unfold, realizing that everything he once knew had changed. Laura had been in the best hands possible-those of their father.

"Well, sweetheart, what do you think?"

"What?" Laura asked, confused.

"This incredible surprise!" Maximus grinned, happy to have all his children together under one roof, even if only for a few days.