FreeNovelChapter 0564 Maximus sat with a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in his hand as he stared into the fire. Drinking had beca habit he turned to whenever frustration overwhelmed him. The revelations from Folder 4 had upended his life: he wasn't Leonardo's son, and nothing he had devoted his life to-neither the company nor the legacy- truly belonged to him.
With a bitter smile, he muttered to himself, "I should be used to it by now. Everyone has always found a way to take advantage of me. Why should this be any different?" "Maximus," Matthew said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say." "It's not the company or the shares that hurt, Matthew. I don't need any of that. What stings is that I never saw the kind of life my mother endured. My father always pretended to be a good man. And L..." Maximus paused, his voice heavy with regret. "I did the sto Mary." 10 "But you've changed," Matthew reassured him. "You recognized the harm you caused and worked to make amends. I know because I was there with you, remember? During the therapy sessions?" [Nineteen years ago] "Alexia! For fuck's sake! I've been patient, but you're pushingto my limit!" Maximus roared, his fists clenched at his sides.
"And what are YOU going to do?" Alexia shot back, her voice sharp and defiant. "Hitlike you hit Mary? Go ahead, Maximus! Try it! I dare you! I'm not alone like she was-I have people to stand up for me!" Maximus froze, her words cutting deeper than any slap he could have delivered. His jaw tightened as he turned on his heel, storming out of the room and slamming the door behind him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe loud noise startled their young son, Lucius, who began crying uncontrollably. The nanny tried to soothe him, pacing the room with the infant in her arms, but his cries only grew louder.
Moments later, the door to the nursery opened. Alexia entered, her face pale but resolute.
"Leave," she said curtly, addressing the nanny.
"Ma'am, are you sure you're alright?" the nanny asked nervously.
"I said leave. Was I not clear?" Alexia snapped.
"Yes, ma'am," the nanny replied hesitantly, placing the baby back in his crib before hurrying out. Her heart ached. for the boy an innocent caught in the middle of his parents' chaos. He didn't need wealth or luxury; he needed love and stability, things neither parent seemed able to give Alexia approached the crib, lifting Lucius into her arms with surprising gentleness. As she swayed with him, her. tears fell silently.
"Lucius, my sweet boy," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Forgive me. I never wanted this for you. If it were up to me, I'd take you and run far away from here Life is so much more complicated than I ever imagined. I've made so many mistakes. Your father is one of them. He doesn't love me, and I never should have cback here.
"I waited so eagerly for you, my baby. But when your grandfather declared you would be his heir, everything changed. It crushed me. You're the greatest love of my life, far more than your father ever was. And it killsthat I can't protect you the way I should.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I used to be someone-a strong, independent woman in Paris who needed no one to survive. But now? Look at Chapter 0554 me. I'm a shadow of who I was. I struggle to connect with you, even though I love you with every fiber of my being I don't want your grandfather to hurt you like he's hurt everyone else.
"Someday, Lucius, it'll just be you and me. I promise. Someday I'll find the strength and the power to protect you from everyone who would keep us apart. But for now, I'm just a shadow. And only you, my sweet boy, will ever know the truth."
Tears streamed down Alexia's face as she cradled Lucius, who had stopped crying and now gazed up at her with wide innocent eyes. She continued to rock him in silence, staring out the window as if searching for the freedom she longed for but couldn't grasp.
The dim evening light cast long shadows as Maximus drove aimlessly, trying to cool his temper.
Leaving the house had ouse had been his only option to avoid another explosive fight with Alexia. Their marriage was far from what he had envisioned.
Maximus had hoped for a partnership modeled after his parents, but instead, Alexia's constant criticisms and disdain left him feeling more isolated than ever. His father's words echoed in his mind: "You rushed into this marriage. Catherine wouldn't have cared if you'd stayed single forever. In fact, she would've been happier if that woman never entered our family.' mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1
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