My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

"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?"

"Exactly! That's why I need a walk... What do you say?"

"Alright," Mary agreed, figuring that being outside was better than staying inside the house.

"We'll just walk along the shore, stick close by while the others wake up," James said casually.

"Sounds good."

For some strange reason, Mary felt at ease with him.

He was only three years older than her and a complete gentleman. Still, she didn't

let go of her belongings. James ended up carrying her bag, while she held onto

her backpack, which contained her documents and money.

Somehow, James had managed to capture her attention. The events of the previous day still fresh in her mind, she let herself go and, before she realized it, allowed him to take her hand.

"You're a beautiful woman," James murmured. "I don't understand how your husband doesn't appreciate you. If you were my girlfriend, damn, I'd show you off everywhere. I'd love for people to see me with you. You're gorgeous, fun, and young! Who would want to keep you a secret?"

He leaned in dangerously close to her lips, and instead of pulling away, she did the same.

Their lips met for the first time. James didn't waste the opportunity, gently guiding her to sit on the sand.

What had started as an innocent kiss quickly grew more intense. His hands explored the outline of her body, even with her clothes still on.

James had done it he had seduced her. He wanted a summer fling, and she was the perfect candidate.

She was alone. Her husband didn't understand her. That made her an ideal conquest. And yes, it was working.

Mary didn't notice Maximus approaching.

She was lost in the wave of emotions James was stirring in her.

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

She gasped when his hand slipped beneath her panties, touching a place that, until now, had only been touched by Maximus.

But in that moment, she didn't care. She was lost in the sensation James was giving her. She had no regrets—if something happened, then so be it.

Maximus had thrown her out of their room without caring where she'd end up. The least she could do was get back at him like this.

If she broke her marriage vows-right here, on her honeymoon-who the hell would care?

Maximus had done it again and again. Why couldn't she?

She had married young and spent most of her time locked away. This was the only opportunity life had given her to feel young and desired again.

James' kisses were 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 of marriage.

Maximus hadn't slept a wink.

He hadn't even gone back to the hotel. He had wandered the streets of Santorini, convincing himself that Mary must have returned to their room at some point.

But when he finally checked the reception desk, no one had seen her come back.

So he kept searching, retracing his steps through the city, trying to think where she could have gone.

Then, he remembered how much she had loved the ocean.

His instincts led him to the shore.

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

spotted something in the distance.

A silhouette.

A couple, sitting together in the sand.

There were still several meters between them, but as soon as a sickening feeling

hit his chest, he started walking faster-then sprinting.

With each step closer, that awful sensation grew.

It was obvious that the couple lying on the sand hadn't expected anyone to be around, because what were doing wasn't exactly something they wanted others to See.

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"Mary!" Maximus's furious voice cut through the air.

"Shit! Shit!" she cursed under her breath, recognizing that voice instantly.noveldrama

Before she could react, Maximus was already there, grabbing her by the arm and

Slap!

He struck her.

Right in front of James.

The younger man tried to step in, to defend her, but it was useless. Maximus was bigger, stronger-if he wanted, he could have knocked him down without effort.

"You're a married woman! Did you forget that?!" Maximus roared, his anger barely contained.

"Oh, fuck you, Maximus!" Mary shot back, her voice shaking with rage "You kicked me out of our room. because your mistress was in it! You sleep with her, and now you have the nerve to come after me?!"

"Mary!" Maximus bellowed as she grabbed her belongings and stormed off-with

James.

The same man who, just moments ago, had been touching what, by law, belonged to him.

[Present Day]

"Damn it!" Maximus jolted awake, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

He checked the time-5:00 AM.

Letting out a deep sigh, he collapsed back onto his pillow, shutting his eyes. His

head ached.

But that was the least of his problems.

The worst part was that memory.

That shameful, humiliating moment in his life.

The moment he knew-without a doubt that his marriage was never going to

have a happy ending.