My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

[New Zealand]

It had been a few months since Sebastian Sinclair had arrived in New Zealand. Angela Moriarty had chosen a stunning apartment for him-modern, stylish, and equipped with everything a young man could possibly need.

Anthony Moriarty's wife had been incredibly generous to him. Since she had no siblings of her own, she spoiled Sebastian with things he never asked for but that she believed he needed. She had even bought him an expensive car to make it easier for him to get around.

Anyone would think she was spending Lucius's inheritance, but no-everything she gave him came out of her own pocket. Angela came from a small family and had always wished for a brother. Now that Lucius practically depended on the Moriartys, she was thrilled to take on that role.

Anthony Moriarty, on the other hand, simply watched his wife dote on the boy like a child with a new toy. He had long given up trying to stop her. Whenever Angela showed up with a new purchase for Sebastian, he just rolled his eyes and resigned himself to the situation.

That lonely young man, who had never really had anyone, now had her—a woman who, more than a sister, treated him like a son.

Anthony had only truly relaxed when Sebastian finally left Valentia for New Zealand.

Initially, the plan had been for him to travel alone, but Angela refused to let that happen. So, while her husband was buried in work, she took it upon herself to personally accompany him-without accepting no for an answer.

Angela and little Valentina had been the ones to settle Sebastian into his new home and university.

Away from Anthony's ever-watchful eye, Sebastian felt like he could breathe for the first time.

New Zealand had its charm.

His new sister had insisted he enroll at the University of Auckland, claiming that if he wanted to study business, the Bachelor of Commerce program there was his best option.

In the end, Sebastian agreed-mostly because Angela's enthusiasm was overwhelming. And, as soon as he committed, she went ahead and bought him a luxurious apartment in Downtown Auckland.

Sometimes, he was genuinely taken aback by the things she did for him. He never questioned her generosity, but at times, it felt... excessive.

After spending two weeks with Angela and Valentina, he genuinely felt a void when they left.

Yes, Angela could be suffocating at times... but that same presence, that same fierce energy, had made him feel at home.

Once he settled into university, his daily routine became monotonous-attending classes, studying, and nothing else.

Because he was always being watched.

Anthony had been very clear:

No stock market trading. No illegal activities.

If Sebastian even thought about breaking the rules, he would lose everything-his support, his inheritance, all of it.

His evenings were spent exploring the country. At first, it had been exciting, but after a while, it started to feel tedious.

His life had become predictable.

At least, until someone caught his attention.

[Dubai]

"I still don't understand why he refuses to meet me," said the young man with dark eyes and hair.

"Adam, you have to understand that your father is... let's just say, a very particular kind of man. I've tried to convince him that it would be a good idea to meet you, but he refuses."

"My mother always told me he was a good man. That beneath all that coldness, he's a good person."

"I know! Just look at everything he does for those orphaned children. But I think his past won't let him get close to you."

"What if I go looking for him?" Adam asked, his curiosity growing.

"Adam, I just think you might not like what you find. The man is an important figure. He's always busy. If I were you, I wouldn't push it."

"Oliver... I've waited long enough. And you always give me excuses. Why don't you just tell him the truth? Why don't you tell him that I already know who he is and that I want to meet him?"

"I've already told you, kid-Theodore Bennett isn't just anyone. Yes, he's a great man, but that great man has a very strong character. I don't even want to imagine what he'll do to me when he finds out you already know about him."

"The only thing that matters to me is that he saved my mother's life years ago. No matter what happened between them, both she and I have only good things to say about him."

"Has your mother ever told you what your father used to do?"

"Yes."

"And that doesn't scare you?"

"Why would it? If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have been able to save my mother."

"I get it... but the man was a mercenary. Or at least, he used to be. He's not someone to take lightly."

"My mother has only good

memories of him. Without him, l

wouldn't even be here. If he hadn't

helped her, she never would've

escaped that life-she would be

dead.

"My mother is a good woman. She didn't deserve the life she was forced into..."

Oliver sighed, knowing he was running out of excuses.

"Adam, let me try one more time. I'l do my best to convince him. If I can't, I tell you, and you can decide

what to do from the ove

swnov

Adam narrowed his eyes but eventually nodded.

"Fine..."

Adam Sawyer was the product of a complicated and unusual relationship between

Theodore Bennett and Fiona Sawyer.

The details of their past weren't

entirely clear, but one thing was

certain his mother had always been

grateful to the man who had orice

saved her, spent time with her... and

then disappeared.

It had been twenty-three years since then.

And now, knowing that his father was living in Dubai, Adam longed to finally meet

him.

But no matter how hard he tried, the man-his father-kept refusing.

It hurt.

On the other hand, Theodore wasn't exactly thrilled by the idea of meeting his

son.

It had taken him long enough to process the fact that he even had a 23-year-old

son.

Yes, he had always had... encounters with women. But to him, those were nothing more than physical relief. He never got emotionally involved.

Except with Fiona.

She had been different.

For 23 years, he had pushed her out of his mind, refusing to think about her.

Because, if he was being honest...

He wasn't proud of it.

Fiona had been only 20 years old when she met Theodore.noveldrama

At that age, he could have easily passed as her father.

But she had never looked at him that way.

She had looked at him like a woman looks at a man.

Because he wasn't just anyone he was the man who had saved her from the monsters who had used her body as currency.

By the time she met him, she had already seen more horrors than most people would in a lifetime.

So, for her, meeting Theodore-of all people-felt like a balm to her suffering.

She had been so young.

Her parents had sold her to a man for just a handful of coins.

Her family was poor, and with that money, they could feed her younger siblings.

Her parents had barely understood what they were doing.

They hadn't realized that they were selling their 14-year-old daughter into a life of prostitution.

And that's what she had endured-until Theodore entered her life.