My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 1161

"Your kids didn't leave saying, 'We don't love you anymore, don't look for us.' They left seeking peace—like Lucius—or privacy—like Laura. And hey, Emma went with them, and that gives me peace of mind.

"And as for the boys, think about this—you helped a father. I know it's not easy, but you gave a dad the chance you never had with Lucius.

"If Maurice went with Paul, like I told you before, it's because he wanted to support his brother when he felt vulnerable. They left, but I'm sure they'll come back.

"Meanwhile, you're not alone… You have us, and trust me, with how lively Vincent is, we'll have our hands full—and then some. Time heals all wounds, and before you know it, everything will fall into place," Diana said, trying to calm the storm inside Maximus.

"I hope so, Diana. I really do. I just wanted to have my family together, and now, overnight, they've all taken different paths…"

Diana understood what her husband was going through, so she made a huge effort not to judge him. She knew that deep down, all of this was the karmic result of things he'd done wrong in the past.

She knew how important it was for Maximus to have his family reunited. But fate didn't seem to care about his wishes. It might not look like he'd lost much—but he had.

Life had shown him what it felt like to have a united family, to have breakfast filled with laughter, to be close with Lucius, to have his younger children still at home, and to see his little princess Laura—once forgotten—remind him that forgiveness always exists.

Diana knew that, which was why she just tried to help Maximus see that this was part of life. She only hoped that things would eventually fall into place so he could go back to being the man he was just a few months ago.

Maximus looked at Diana and their son. He wanted to be happy with them, but part of his heart was still with his other children. He just couldn't turn the page yet. But he also knew he couldn't repeat the mistakes of the past. So, despite his fears and pain, he smiled and did his best to be there for his wife.

It was a promise he'd made for life—and he was going to keep it.

"It's never too late to start over, Maximus. Never too late…"

Maximus looked at the scene—his young wife, his child—and it brought back memories of his past life: Mary, Alexia, time, bad decisions, good decisions, his family, cause and effect… everything and nothing all at once.

Only time would tell what would happen with that family. Only time would tell if they would be together again. Only time would tell if Maximus's guilt would heal quietly… or never heal at all.

[The Palmer Mason Family]

"Peter! Where are you? Lunch is ready!" Celeste called out as she went looking for Peter, who was with the girls—Aria and Ellie.