My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Chapter 1135

Marcus and Valerie were in the garden of their home, enjoying the quiet. Alden and Serenity had taken the kids to their house for the evening-something Marcus had asked his daughter for, since today was the day before their anniversary and he had planned a romantic dinner for the two of them.

"How many years has it been?" Valerie asked, watching her husband set the food on the garden table.

"Eighteen years. We've been together for eighteen years now... and I still feel like it all happened just yesterday," Marcus said, looking at her fondly.

"It's been a long road. Not always easy. Look at us now-calmer, more settled. We're not exactly young anymore."

"You still look like the woman I met all those years ago..." Marcus said, kissing her cheek.

"You see me through love's eyes. It's been twenty years since we met."

"I know. But every one of those years has only made me love you more."

"I love you too, Marcus. And I want you to know that thanks to you, to being with you, I've become who I am.

"No one had ever expected anything from me before. I was just the girl who had suffered... and you, without hesitation, pushed me to grow. You showed me I could carry the world on my shoulders—and more."

"And you did, didn't you?"

"Yes. Definitely, I did."

"Then there's nothing to regret, my love. I never would've asked anything of you that you couldn't give."

"Thank you! Thank you for showing up in my life! Thank you for not leaving us alone! Thank you for all the patience you've had with me!"

"Now that we're in a calmer stage of life... Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. Go ahead," Valerie said softly, calmly, like someone at peace.

"Do you still think about your time with Peter?"

"Marcus..."

start a fight. I just want to know what you think about

to know I love you. There's no one else I'd rather

never forget him-he marked a before and after in my life in Valentia. Just like his

remember them-both of them. But it's with affection, not

smile. "I mean the night you took me home, and you stopped by Serenity's room. You fell asleep with her in your arms. That moment-it still fills me with love and hope when I think about

years, I treasure it. I love building new memories with you. I

he'll always be one to me. And our little ones, who aren't so little now, are wild and full of energy. They wear us out, but even so, I enjoy

to ask you something..." Valerie said, her

be able to

words carefully. He didn't want this dinner to spiral into something it

starting to warm up to the guy," Marcus said with a faint smile. The reason I asked you

then said gently, "My love, Peter has

with Celeste, his daughters, and the family he just found. I think

and say I won't remember him with fondness-but that's not the same as remembering someone with love. The love we have, the love we give

Fel

then, but honestly, you don't need to worry. You really don't need to be nervous like you

share of rough patches, but today, I'm happy. I'm fulfilled with what I have. You and our family are my everything, and I wouldn't

you, Valerie. You don't know how important this talk is to me.

love you until the end of my days.

and

do you think of

You still remember

"How could I forget?"

ancient history... That... that ended

your answer about Peter,"

was still a part of Marcus's past. To what extent? She