My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

After Maximus said goodbye to Pierre, he went back into the mansion and headed straight to his son's room. Paul was lying on his bed, facing away from the door.

"Paul, can I come in?" Maximus asked gently.

"You're already in, Dad... Are you here to scold me for something that happened years ago?" Paul said, trying to sound calm.

Maximus looked at his son and it was clear there'd be no scolding. He walked over, lay down beside him, hugged him, and kissed the top of his head.

"Son... I came to check on you. To see if you need anything. I came to see my son, who's going through a rough time..."

Paul turned to face his father and hugged him tightly—and that's when it became clear he'd been crying.

"Why was Mom like that?" Paul asked, his voice full of disappointment.

"Son... Your mom's gone now. It's not right to speak ill of someone who can't defend themselves. Your mother was... complicated. She was an only child, and because of that, she had some spoiled tendencies."

"Dad, don't make excuses for her. Mom was a slut. She slept with whoever she wanted..."

heat rush through his body-he hated hearing that from his son. But he controlled himself. Now wasn't

Don't judge your mom too harshly. Both she

believe me, even if she seemed calm

left behind were problems. You know

"What is it, son?"

I really can't. Back then, he was really good to us. He even got chewed out by my friend's parents-they said he encouraged us to

lessons are tough. All I ask is that you don't carry

now, your focus should be on school, on what you're going to wear, maybe even on

that kind of life for you guys. I really would. But I know life doesn't always go that way. Still, you'll see—in five, ten

have other worries by then. You might even be a dad yourself by the time you look back on how you

threw himself into Maximus's arms. Maximus was still lying down, watching him, just wanting to be there for his son in this

son just as much. Even though he didn't say it out loud, because it would've set a

And there'll be more storms ahead, but you'll make it. You're my son, and

you for the rest of my life-for every year life lets me

"But honestly