My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Alden had gone to find a room for Serenity. He knew this wasn't a hotel-it was a hospital-but sometimes, accommodations could be made for certain people. He figured it was worth a try.

Marcus was right. Serenity had endured a six-hour flight without any breaks, and it was already past midnight. She couldn't keep pushing herself like this.

Fortunately, the hospital staff provided a comfortable room for her. The moment Alden mentioned his last name, the staff seemed to understand that this wasn't just any request. With that taken care of, he headed to the cafeteria to find something for Serenity to eat.

What he didn't expect was to run into Valerie and Diana.

Taking a deep breath and silently praying to all the saints his mother had taught him about, he walked confidently toward their table.

Valerie immediately recognized him. The moment she saw him, she felt as if she had been punched in the chest. He was Peter. The only real difference was his pale skin and light-colored eyes. But his posture, his walk-everything about him screamed Peter. A younger, almost reincarnated version of him.

It was suffocating. No matter how hard she tried to keep her distance, it was as if fate kept forcing them closer together.

And what about Marcus? How was he going to handle all of this? Serenity was his everything. Valerie regretted how she had reacted earlier, but if she was honest, even she hadn't expected that kind of reaction from herself.

"Good evening, ladies," Alden greeted politely. "Mrs. Bartz, may I speak with you?"

Diana immediately recognized him as well. She stood up from the table and grabbed the two cups of coffee she had just ordered.

"Valerie, I'm going to check on Maximus and bring him some coffee. I'll see if Celeste needs anything too. Do you want me to take Marcus's coffee to him?"

"Oh, yes, please," Valerie said quickly.

glancing at Alden. The young man barely looked older than

just... think about what we talked about, okay?" she said before

gestured

bubbling in his stomach. He had heard so much about Serenity's parents -how they

slap Valerie had given Serenity earlier had completely

do you need to talk to me about?" Valerie asked, her voice firm but not

we started off on the wrong foot. I've heard about you, but I don't believe

name is Alden Pietrovich Palmer. And, yes, I'm sure you already know whose

thin line,

23 years old-almost 24. I'm divorced, and I have a son who's almost six years old. As you probably know, he's good friends with your son. I

QUMS

end because of infidelity or abuse. It ended because we were too young, too inexperienced. We

needed to separate. Today, she's happy in Spain, and

deep

we didn't handle things the right way. I know the way you found out wasn't ideal, and

have been more mature about it. But the truth is...

your daughter with all

her, and I

a life

her. I

all of Serenity's parents-aren't