My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Theodore had remained silent, listening.

He had never seen things the way she did.noveldrama

To him, the entire situation had been something he had buried deep in his past- something he never spoke about, something he simply left behind. But being back in the Emirates, returning to Dubai, retracing his steps... it had sparked something in him. It made him curious-too curious.

And now, looking at her-those deep, dark eyes gazing up at him he felt something shift inside him.

For a moment, it was as if he was seeing her for the first time all over again.

"Fiona, I..." He exhaled heavily. "I am not like the men you will meet here. I grew up this way. What you see is what you get.

"I know that when I told you and Adam that you would live in my house and that from now on, you would be my wife... I didn't do it the right way. And for that, I apologize. I only thought about protecting you."

"Protecting me from what, my lord?" Fiona asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"I know it is unacceptable for a woman to live with a man unless they are married. That's why I rushed the process. I only wanted to give you and my son everything you didn't have—everything you lacked."

Theodore took a deep breath before continuing.

"Fiona, you need to understand something. I am not a romantic man. I don't know how to be. I've lived my entire life this way, and at this age, I don't think I can change... I just want you and our son to have the best."

"My lord... I am happy with what you have given us. I am happy with what you have done for us... I need nothing more," Fiona said, squeezing his hands with her delicate fingers.

"Fiona... that is the problem. You shouldn't be happy with so little. You deserve more. You deserve someone who can give you the love and affection that I cannot."

"My lord... what are you trying to say?"

"Fiona, I want you to be honest with yourself. Tell me what do you want? What are you looking for in all of this?"

She looked at him for a long moment, then finally whispered, "What kind of question is that, my lord? I only want you to want me..."

Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was afraid of his answer.

Theodore felt something in him tighten.

He didn't understand. He couldn't understand.

How could this woman possibly want to be with him?

He was no longer young. He wasn't an Adonis like Peter or Maximus. He still had

his strength, yes, but he was no prize-he had nothing to offer her.

"What do you see in me, Fiona?" he asked quietly. "Can't you see that I'm at the end of my life? I have lived more years than I ever expected to. I would rather give you your freedom so you can find someone else—someone who can love you, someone who can truly be with you."

Fiona listened as he rejected the very idea of being loved.

He didn't understand.

He had never understood.

She had chosen him 23 years ago, and she was still choosing him now.

After him, she had never been with anyone else. She had dedicated herself entirely to her son—to raising a good son. A son she hoped would grow up to be like him.

Where she came from, life was not easy. Women were treated like commodities—

bought, sold, exchanged for money, cattle, or land.

And yet, this man had saved her.

He had taken nothing from her, asked for nothing in return.

He had never hurt her.

If they had been together, it was because she wanted it.

"Is it so hard to believe, my lord," Fiona whispered, summoning every ounce of

courage she had, "that I only want you?"

Theodore inhaled sharply.

"Fiona... if you stay with me, this is

what you get. A man who is not romantic. A man who will not shower you with affection. A man who can protect you but does not know how to love you."

Fiona held his gaze.

"My lord... if you allow me... I will love you. I do not need anyone else. I do not need anything more. I only want you. Let me stay by your side. I will live to love you, to care for you, to protect you, and to serve you" she said, her voice steady and unwavering.

Theodore hesitated.

How could this woman be content with so little?

Did she even realize the weight of her words?

"Fiona... I... I don't know how to love you," he admitted.

But before he could say anything more, her hands-soft, warm, and steady-

cradled his face, drawing him toward her.

And then, without hesitation, she pressed her lips against his.

Fiona had dreamed of kissing this man again for 23 years.

Since that morning she had woken up... and found him gone.