My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus watches his son closely, not knowing where to begin. How do you tell your son... that he's not really your son?

"Paul... you know I love you, right?" Maximus asks cautiously.

"Dad... for the second time, yes, I know. And I love you a lot too. But... what is it you wanted to tell me?"

"Paul, as you might've figured out by now, your mother and I weren't exactly the most responsible people in the world.

"Your mom made mistakes, I made mistakes... that's just life. What matters is owning up to them and moving forward.

"When I say I love you, I don't mean it in some empty way, like when you're trying to impress a girl. You're my son, and I love you because of that. I saw you being born, I watched you grow, and even if I wasn't always right there with you, I tried to stay close and see you grow."noveldrama

Maximus took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh. His stomach twisted, and he knew he couldn't put it off any longer.

"Paul, I loved your mother in many different ways, no matter how difficult she could be because let's be honest, she wasn't the easiest person-but still, I loved her, so much that I didn't think about the consequences of my actions.

"But sometimes, something happens-a fight, an event-that sets things off in ways we don't want. Your mother and I argued from time to time, and I know you kids witnessed that. That didn't mean I didn't love her, and it didn't mean she didn't love me.

"One day, your mother and I had a fight. She left for a while. I'm not justifying it, but she thought our marriage was over.

"She went to Paris. I didn't follow her, I didn't beg her to stay, I didn't even ask. I was too angry, and to be honest, I don't even remember what the fight was about.

"Back then, we both truly thought it was over. At that point, it was just Lucius and Laura," Maximus said, trying to make it sound as casual as possible.

"So what happened? How did Maurice and I come along then?" Paul asked, clearly intrigued.

"Son... you should know your mom and I tried again. I reached out to her, and we decided to give it another shot. But... well, things had gotten messy. I hadn't been a good husband-I was always caught up in work and I neglected your mom sometimes.

"When she thought there was no future for us, she tried to start a new life in Paris. And during that time, she ran into someone from her past and... things happened. I never threw that in her face because, honestly, I almost did the same thing."

"She cheated on you?" Paul asked, shocked.

"It's more like... we both got involved with other people," Maximus said, trying to soften the blow.

"So you and Mom started seeing other people even though you weren't divorced?"

"Yes, Paul that's what happened. Then, when I went after her, we ended those relationships and got back together..." Maximus said, watching his son try to make sense of it all.

"I don't get why you're telling me all this..." Paul said, confused.

"Paul, your mom and I love you very much. But... you were born during that separation," Maximus said, trying to speak as gently as possible.

"What? I was your reconciliation baby?"

Maximus smiled and said, "Of course you were our reconciliation baby! But... unfortunately, I... I'm not

your biological father," Mesot

said, his words slow and careful.

"What? Are you telling me I was fathered by someone else?" Paul shouted, stunned.

"Son... I need you to understand that, to me, you've always been my son," Maximus said, trying to get through to him.

Paul looked at his hands, staring off into a spot Maximus couldn't make sense of.

"Son... I know it sounds crazy, but to me, you're my son, and I love you just like I love all your siblings..."

"Since when?" Paul asked, his voice breaking, the knot in his throat obvious.

"Since when what?" Maximus asked, confused by the question.

"Since when have you known? Have you known my whole life? Tell me!"

"No... I found out recently. But listen, I don't care what some stupid test says-l love you, and I've always loved you," Maximus said pleadingly.

"How could Mom...?" Paul tried to form the question.

"No! Don't you dare blame your

fault, it was me. I didn't know anet mother If anyone was mostly at et

love her right, I didn't know how to keep a marriage going.

"I fought so hard to stay with your mom, and when I finally had her, I didn't know

how to make her happy. Then, everything I already told you... happened.

"I didn't know you weren't my biological son, and now that I do-it doesn't matter. Because to me, you are and always will be my son.