Chapter 0876
Maximus watched as his children slowly gathered around the table. Today, they had decided to have a picnic in the garden. It was the middle of the week, and it felt odd–but after being separated for so long, they were treasuring every little moment of happiness together.
“Dad, when can we go to the Maldives?” Paul asked suddenly, his voice full of curiosity.
“The Maldives? Where’s this interest coming from?” Maximus asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Paul had a girlfriend there, and he never got to say goodbye,” Laura answered thoughtfully. “After the whole kidnapping mess, we had to leave in a hurry.”
“Laura!” Paul groaned, clearly embarrassed.
“Oh, I see,” Maximus said, amused. “I didn’t know that, son. We can go–I just need to organize my schedule. If you’d like, I can take you this weekend.”
For a brief moment, he remembered being Paul’s age–when he had first met her. The woman he had spent years loving.
He knew how complicated this stage of life could be. He also knew that love at this age felt completely different from love as an adult. So he had no objections.
“Really, Dad? We can go?” Paul asked, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Of course. Just let me sort things out at work, and we’ll go.”
“Yes! I don’t mind waiting a few more days–I just have to see her. She’s a great girl. I know you’ll like her,” Paul said, his voice full of hope.
Once that conversation wrapped up, the family returned to what had brought them together in the first place–the simple joy of being together. They wanted to make up for lost time. They wanted to feel like a real family again.
Later that afternoon, Maximus and Diana stood in his study gazing out at the garden.
He held her from behind, inhaling her scent, completely lost in the moment.
He felt like the luckiest man alive.
Looking back, his life had changed drastically in just over a year.
He had lost everything.
And then gained everything.
If he was being honest with himself, he didn’t care about losing the wealth, the prestige, the fame, or even the respected surname he had once carried.
None of that mattered.
The only thing that truly mattered was that he had his family–his children, his real father, and the love of a woman who adored him unconditionally.
“I’m so happy, Diana,” he murmured. “Every single day with you and our family makes me the happiest man in the world.”
But then, his voice softened.
“There’s something that’s been on my mind, though…‘
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Chapter 0376
“What is it?” Diana asked, intrigued.
“You’re young, Diana. You are one of the most important women in my life–aside from my daughter and my granddaughter. But I’m afraid… I don’t want to ruin your life. I don’t want you to wake up one day and realize that this isn’t what you really want.”
Maximus let out a slow breath before continuing.
“I already told you before–I can’t have more children. If you ever decide that you do want a baby of your own, I don’t want to be the one to deny you that possibility.”
Diana turned in his arms, placing her hands on his face.
“Maximus, listen to me carefully,” she said. “I know what want–and what I want is you.
“And if I ever feel that need, we can always adopt, don’t you think? There are so many children in this world who need a mom and dad. I’m one hundred percent sure about that.”
“Are you really sure about this?” Maximus asked, his voice serious.
He knew it wasn’t fair to her.
He had five children.
At some point, she might want one of her own. And if that day came, he refused to be the man who robbed her of that experience.
“Maximus,” Diana said, smiling, “if it ever came to that, I know there are ways to reverse your procedure.”
“What? That’s possible?” Maximus asked, clearly surprised.
“Yes. I imagine it’s expensive, and I’m not sure how effective it is. But for now, I love our life the way it is. I’m a young almost–grandmother,‘ don’t you think?” she teased
“Almost–grandmother‘? What do you mean? You are a grandmother. Not an ‘almost‘–you’re my partner, and everything of mine is yours.”
“Well, we’re not married yet. That makes me an ‘almost wife,‘ too,” Diana joked with a playful grin.
But Maximus knew she was right.
And it bothered him.
He was a grown man–he had already been married twice. The idea of a third marriage had scared him.
But Diana didn’t deserve to carry the weight of his past.
She didn’t deserve to be an almost wife.
She deserved to be his wife.
“Diana,” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, “I don’t want you to be an almost wife or an almost grandmother.
‘I want you to be my wife. The official grandmother of my granddaughter and all the grandchildren that will come after her.”
Diana froze.
His words sent a shockwave through her entire body.
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Chapter 02 0
“Wait… You mean… you and I… marry?” she asked, completely taken aback.
*Yes, Diana Mendez.” He turned her around to face him. “I’m ready to get married again. The question is… are you ready to get married for the first time?”
Before she could even react, Maximus pulled a small box from his blazer pocket.
Diana’s eyes widened,
He opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring.
“Oh my God…” she whispered. “That stone is huge… I’m scared to even wear it…”
Maximus chuckled as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
“I think it looks perfect on you. And I have a good eye for sizing, don’t you think?” he said, admiring the ring on her hand.
“Well?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I just put the ring on your finger, but you haven’t answered me yet.”
Diana looked up at him, her heart racing.
“Maximus, obviously! I accept! I accept spending my entire life by your side–with our family. Including, of course, our dog and our cats.”
“Of course,” Maximus laughed, pulling her into a strong embrace before capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.
