My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Before Alden could speak, Serenity beat him to it. "Dad... Alden and I fell in love. I love him, and he loves me."

"Mr. Bartz," Alden said, his voice steady and respectful, "I completely understand what you must be thinking. I don't expect you to be happy about this. But the truth is, Serenity and I love each other. I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but it's the truth."

"When?" Marcus demanded.

Alden took a deep breath. "To be honest, from the moment I saw her, she caught my attention. At first, I thought I was just affection for someone I believed was my sister. But once I found out we weren't related by blood... I thanked God for that.

"She means everything to me. I love every single thing about her-everything she does, everything she represents. I love her. I know that, in your eyes, I may not be worthy of her. I'm a divorced man with a child. But believe me, both my mother and father raised me to be a good man.

"I may not have the same wealth as you, but I have my own businesses. I can provide for my family-just as I have been doing all this time we've been away."

Marcus listened carefully to every word Alden said. He had gotten to know the boy over time, and he had been impressed by his abilities. Ás much as it pained him to admit it, Alden was a good match for Serenity.

But he wasn't about to make things easy for him. No-this was his daughter, his little girl. The same child he had met when she was so sick she could barely open her eyes.

So, if Alden wanted his blessing... he was going to have to fight for it.

"Serenity, I'm not happy about this. You're still so young, and now I see that you're pregnant. I would have preferred for you to finish your studies, build your career, and

develop yourself professional

But

here we are, talking to the man who is now your husband, the father of your child. Do you even know what it is yet?"

"No, Dad... We don't know yet," Serenity answered quietly, feeling ashamed.

"You made your choice, Serenity. And now, all I can do is support you just like we always have. But you

do understand that whether this works out or not, you have to face the consequences, right?"

"Yes, Dad... I know that perfectly well," she said, lowering her gaze.

"Look at me, Serenity," Marcus said

firmly. "I've always taught you to keep your head up. You're a Bartz. You carry that name with pride. You're my daughter, and now, you're going to make me a grandfather. I'm not jumping with joy—because this is not the way I imagined it happening. But if this is what you both truly decided, then I can't change it, no matter how much I might want to."

"Dad..."noveldrama

"My little girl," Marcus sighed, his voice softening. "I love you. I adore you. You're a part of me. And as a father, watching my daughter leave the nest... it's not easy. I wanted many more years before this happened. But that's what I wanted, not what was meant to happen."

"Mr. Bartz," Alden said, looking Marcus in the eye. "I don't want to take Serenity away from you. We can live anywhere in the world-wherever makes it easiest for you to see us."

"Alden, let's be realistic. You're starting a new life together. The last thing you want is for your in-laws to be dropping by every day."

Marcus had started off furious, but

as he thought things through, he realized Maximus had been right. He had been young once too. He had married Valentina when he was around the same age. His father had supported him, and he had lived happily with his wife for as long as life allowed.