My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Chapter 1054

"Excuse me, miss, have you seen my wife by any chance? She's a short girl...” Maximus asked at the front desk.

"The woman who went up to your room? The blonde?" the receptionist asked, looking confused.

"No, my wife is the short girl I arrived with."

"I'm sorry, sir, but the woman who came in earlier said she was your wife."

"Oh, I see... Well, did you see the short girl I arrived with?"

"Yes, she left the hotel, but we didn't see where she went... I'm sorry."

"What? She didn't check in?"

"No, sir... I only saw her pass by with a bag and a backpack."

A chill ran down Maximus's spine. He rushed outside and looked in every direction. The streets were still lively, but as the night wore on, the crowds were thinning.

Before panic could take over, he dialed his wife's number.

Meanwhile, Mary was lost in a different world-surrounded by a group of people her age, or at least close to it. She laughed, drinking beer, the gathering reminding her of the ones she used to go to back in Galea.

As the night wore on, the girls decided to turn in. Mary followed suit, though a small part of her hesitated. She barely knew these people, and the thought made her uneasy.

Once inside her room, she locked the door securely and kept her clothes and shoes on-just in case she needed to leave in a hurry.

By morning, most of the house was still asleep, but Mary had barely gotten any rest. She had a roof over her head, but she didn't know anyone here, so she stayed alert, making sure not to lose sight of her belongings.

Suddenly, there were two soft knocks on her door, followed by a voice asking for permission to enter.

"Can I come in?" James' voice came from the other side.

"Oh, uh... Give me a minute!"

She quickly grabbed a thin sweatshirt and pulled it on before going to open the door.

As soon as Mary opened the door, James stepped inside.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Well, thanks. Pretty well," she replied.

"That's what I like to hear! You sound more relaxed. Want to go for a walk?" James asked enthusiastically.

"No hangover?"

why I need a walk...

figuring that being outside was

close by while the others wake up,"

"Sounds good."

strange reason, Mary

three years older than her

of her belongings. James ended up carrying her bag, while she

which contained her documents

in her mind, she let herself go and, before she realized

you were my girlfriend, damn, I'd show you off everywhere. I'd love for people to see me

lips, and instead of pulling away,

time. James didn't waste the opportunity, gently guiding

innocent kiss quickly grew more intense. His hands explored the outline of her body, even with her clothes

it he had seduced her. He wanted a summer fling, and

alone. Her husband didn't understand her. That made

notice

the wave of emotions James was

young man had already unbuttoned part of the beautiful dress—one that Maximus had bought for

touching a place that,

in that moment, she didn't care. She was lost in the sensation James was giving her. She had

she'd end up. The least she could do was get back

marriage vows-right here, on her

it again and

young and spent most of her time locked away. This was the only opportunity life had given

intoxicating. And thank God they were on a secluded beach, because this moment was giving her just a taste of what had been denied to her for over a year

slept a

back to the hotel. He had wandered the streets of Santorini, convincing himself that Mary must have returned to

he finally checked the reception desk, no one had seen her come

through the city, trying to think where

how much she had

instincts led him to

while, he walked aimlessly, scanning the sand and the waves, until

something in the

A silhouette.

sitting together

meters between them, but as

his chest, he started