My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus was going through his emails when he spotted one from his lawyer. The message confirmed that today was the day-he had to show up at the prison where Leonardo and Frank were being held.

He dressed in a sharp, all-black suit, making sure he looked as presentable as possible. Then, without hesitation, he headed for the prison.

He had a debt to settle with Peter. His brother had helped him find his father, and now, Maximus wanted Peter to know where his mother's remains were.

The prison where Anthony Moriarty had locked them up was the worst of the worst. As soon as Maximus arrived, a wave of unease settled over him. No matter what, Leonardo had once been part of his past. Seeing him now-old, powerless, penniless, wasting away in a place like this-made him feel... something.

But then he remembered. He remembered all the pain and suffering Leonardo had inflicted on his mother, Martina. On Peter. On Alexia. Even on his own son. And just like that, resentment took over.

[Blackstone Prison]

"Leonardo Palmer, you have a visitor," the head guard barked.

"Who's looking for me?" Leonardo asked, struggling to his feet.

"I'm not your damn messenger. Get your ass up and go see for yourself," the guard replied crudely.

Leonardo held out his hands for the cuffs. Once they were secured, the cell door creaked open, and he stepped out, moving slowly. Life in this prison was brutal— especially with Frank Levett's son making it his personal mission to make Leonardo's life hell.

But nothing could have prepared him for the sight waiting for him in the visiting

area.

Maximus Evans.

His son.

It had been months since his arrest, and not once had Maximus come to see him.

If he was here now, it had to be for something important.

"So, my prodigal son finally decides to visit me," Leonardo said with mocking

sarcasm.

He knew exactly where he stood in this place. But he would die before showing any weakness.

"This isn't a courtesy visit," Maximus said coldly.

Leonardo's interest was piqued. He raised an eyebrow.noveldrama

"Then what do you want? To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" he asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I have a proposal," Maximus stated firmly.

Leonardo scoffed. "Forgive me, but as far as I know, you have nothing that could possibly interest me. You have nothing. All my money, all my properties under the Palmer name, were seized. You, my dear son, must be out on the streets by now. So tell me, how does that feel?" he sneered.

"It's obvious no one keeps you updated in here," Maximus said, unbothered "Ever since you were locked up, I imagine you haven't had anyone to clue you in on what's going on. You do realize I'm not your son, right? I changed my last name to my real father's a long time ago. Honestly, I should be thanking Peter for warning me about you."

Leonardo's eyes darkened. "Peter? Peter is dead. Stop dragging my son's name through the mud."

He had heard the rumors-whispers that Peter Palmer was alive. But in his mind, he refused to believe it. Over and over, he convinced himself that it was all just some elaborate ploy to mess with his sanity.

Because, like many others in this prison, Leonardo knew exactly why Frank Levett Jr. was rotting in this hellhole. Among his many crimes, one stood out he had orchestrated the murder of his own son.

But since Leonardo had never seen

Peter with his own eyes, he

assumed it was nothing more than a cruel trick. In his mind, it was

had

impossible that the people he worked with for years-those he had made deals with behind Peter's back-had turned on him. That they had tried to kill his son.

Yet in this prison, everything was known. And one of the most talked-about things

was the way Peter Palmer had survived.

The truth slithered through the prison like a silent predator, impossible to ignore. But Leonardo? He refused to see it.

"Ha! Looks like your memory is

failing you in your old age. Did you not hear what I just said? Peter isn't dead. In fact, he's the one who helped put you in this miserable place you and Frank did plenty to land yourselves here. Your precious name and money lost all their value. Adamn shame for all the people who lost their jobs because of you... Luckily, your son thought about that too."