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..."

I just want to know what

know I love you. There's no one else I'd rather be with. I'll never regret a single moment of these

before and after in my life in Valentia. Just like his brother did, actually. He was the first man I

honest, yes, I remember them-both of them. But it's with

Valerie added, seeing Marcus's teasing smile. "I mean the night you took me home, and you stopped by

we've lived together over the years, I treasure it. I love building new memories with you. I love how our new life is shaping

and more each day. John's not a baby anymore-though he'll always be one to me. And our little ones, who aren't so little

you something..." Valerie said, her voice calm. "Go on,

ever be able to forget everything that

taking time to choose his words carefully. He didn't want this dinner to spiral into something it wasn't meant to

a faint smile. The reason I asked you that is because Peter is something we've always avoided talking about. But lately I've been wondering-have we even remembered why we avoid it anymore? That's why I

smiled at him, then said gently, "My love, Peter has his life now,

found. I think the three of us have all

remember him with fondness-but that's not the same as remembering someone with love.

Fel

deal with him now and then, but honestly, you don't need to worry. You really

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

know how important this talk is to me. I

the end of my days.

smiled and

do you think of Dr.

Wait-what? You

"How could I forget?"

ancient history... That... that ended ages

then, there's your answer about

Peter, but it was still a part of Marcus's past. To what extent? She didn't know. But