My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

The next day, Laura went out to pick up the dress she would wear for her sister's wedding—a stunning peach-colored gown made of delicate layers of tulle. The soft shade nearly blended into her pale skin. At first, she had planned to go with Serenity, but today, she felt like she needed a day to herself-something she hadn't had in a long time.

Luckily, her days of loneliness were over. Her daughter filled a huge space in her heart, but so did her father, her brothers, and now the entire Palmer family. If it wasn't one of them, it was another, but she was never truly alone anymore.

Without hesitation, she left Adele at home with Paul and Maurice, knowing that Emma had promised to arrive early. With no guilt, she stepped out and headed to an upscale shopping center. She entered the boutique where she had bought her dress and admired the other gowns on display while waiting for hers. Each fabric, each detail mesmerized her.

Unbeknownst to her, someone had already spotted her. Someone was watching closely. Someone who would be well-paid for this.

Mark had done his research—Laura was no longer a Palmer. She was now an Evans.

"Miss, this way, please. You can try on your dress one last time. If anything needs adjusting, let me know, and we'll fix it immediately," said one of the shop assistants.

Laura turned, smiled, and walked toward the fitting room. She slipped into the peach gown, admiring how it looked on her. Then, as she stared at herself in the mirror, something clicked. It was true-she was no longer a young girl. She was a woman, a mother who loved her daughter deeply, a student trying to build a future. She would be a single mother, and she wanted to set the best example for Adele.

She felt proud of what she had accomplished, of every challenge she had overcome with her daughter by her side. Balancing motherhood and school wasn't impossible, but for her, it was her greatest achievement. Her father supported her—not by handing her everything but by making her believe she could do anything.

A smile spread across her lips. Life had taught her some harsh lessons-to not trust so easily, to not be so naïve, to not seek love in the wrong places. If motherhood had taught her anything, it was that someone depended on her now. She hadn't chosen to become a mother so young, but life and her choices had led her here. She was still young, but she couldn't afford to be the same carefree girl she once was.

Now, for herself and for Adele, she had to be a woman first.

With that thought, she changed out of the dress, satisfied that it fit perfectly. After paying, she left the boutique, recalling Emma's words from the night before:

"I'll be there early tomorrow. Leave Adele with the kids. Take a day for yourself, do what you need to do. You don't have to run around with Adele all the time."

Feeling at ease knowing her daughter was in good hands, Laura wandered through the shopping district. She couldn't even remember the last time she had done this, but it felt so good.

Meanwhile, across town, Mark made a call.

"Adrian, I got news faster than I expected," he said, glancing at Laura from a distance.

"Tell me," Adrian replied from his phone.

"The girl you asked me to look into-I found her. She's no longer Laura Palmer. Somehow, she changed her last name to Evans. Right now, she's shopping in the Victor's Quarter district, near your office," Mark informed him.

"Where exactly?" Adrian asked immediately.

"Regent's Square. She's alone if you want to see her," Mark said, trailing behind Laura.

Adrian felt a sharp pang in his chest. He knew Laura would never want to see him, never want to talk to him. But it had been over a year since he last saw her. And right now, that was all he needed.

Without hesitation, he got up from his desk and left.

Laura continued shopping, picking up a few books, her dress, and a new pair of shoes. All she wanted now was a gelato before heading. home. She had enjoyed her day of freedom, but she missed hep daughter. As much as she loved having time to herself, nothing compared to holding Adele in her arms.

Just as she reached the parking garage, Mark sent Adrian another message:

[If you're coming, hurry-she's about to leave. Sending you the location now.]

By sheer luck—or maybe not the garage where Adrian had parked was the same one Laura had chosen.

Laura opened the trunk of her car and placed her shopping bags inside, completely unaware of what was happening around her. Today, she had wanted to feel truly free, so she hadn't brought any security with her. Not that she could see, at least.

Adrian, sitting in his car, couldn't believe what he was seeing. From a distance, he watched her, battling with himself over whether to get out and approach her.

He wanted to talk to her.

He wanted to know how she was.

He wanted to know about their daughter.

But he had no idea how she would react.

He hesitated for a few moments, but when he saw her about to get into her car,

he moved.

Laura fumbled with her keys while

balancing her gelato, and they

slipped from her hand. She chuckled softly at her own clumsiness. But the smile disappeared the moment she saw a hand pick up her keys.

She looked up, about to thank the person-only to freeze in place.noveldrama

The smile vanished from her face.

Her expression shifted instantly.

Disbelief. Annoyance. A mix of emotions she didn't even have words for.

Her mind screamed: Damn it!

But outwardly, she showed nothing but cold surprise.

"Adrian..." she said, staring at the man standing before her.