Chapter 9
Just then, an ill–timed notification rang from his phone.
Max glanced at the name on the screen, his brows knitting together as a flash of irritation crossed his eyes.# [Maxie, I got hit by a car. I’m alone at the hospital now. It’s nothing serious, but… can you come over tonight and keep me company?]
His reply was cold and brief. [Okay.] Then, he turned off his phone without much thought.”
As expected, his old man had finally made his move at Liliana. Juan had taken the bait. Just as Max had planned, Emiliano had been misled into believing he had truly fallen for the sweet, naive Liliana.
What Juan didn’t know was that Liliana was nothing more than a shield–one Max had placed to protect Ashley.
However, he couldn’t tell Ashley the truth. Instead, he had to let her believe he had betrayed her–that he had fallen for someone younger, someone innocent. Seeing the pain in her eyes, the way her heart broke, felt like a blade twisting in his own chest.
Every time he saw her lost and heartbroken, he wanted nothing more than to throw away the entire plan, to tell her everything–to swear that in this lifetime, the only woman he would ever love was her.”
But if he did, Juan would see through his deception in an instant. And Ashley… she could never outplay someone as ruthless as Juan.
If he wanted his lie to become the truth, he had to deceive everyone–including himself.
So he told himself he loved Liliana. In doing so, he betrayed Ashley. Betrayed their love.”
At the age when love was meant to be pure, Max had confessed to Juan that he had fallen for Ashley–only to be met with his father’s ruthless warning.”
Those sharp, cutting words still echoed in his ears…
“Max, I gave you that name so you’d rise above the rest and you’ve certainly given me quite the surprise.”
“Your name was meant to be simple and memorable so you could step into politics, shine on the grand stage and be remembered by the world–not to become a disgrace to my legacy.”
“A son falling for the daughter his stepmother brought into the family? What were you thinking? Do you want me to be the subject of everyone’s gossip?”
“Listen to me–what you feel for Ashley is nothing more than teenage hormones messing with your head. You’re too young to understand what real love is.”
“I’m warning you–don’t do something you’ll regret. Because if you do, the only one who will end up hurt is Max.” Juan’s harsh words had been a wake–up call. Max was still too young, too powerless to fight back.
Yet, they had also cemented his resolve. He would never follow in Juan’s footsteps. Because the moment he stepped into politics, he would lose Ashley forever.”
Now that his company had successfully gone public and Al technology was on the verge of release, all Max needed was official recognition and protection. Once he secured that, he would finally stand on his own–free from anyone’s control, including his father’s.
Buzz. Buzz.
His phone vibrated again. A message from Juan popped up.
[Max, that girl isn’t worthy of you. She’ll only hold you back. I don’t want any more unpleasantness between us.]W
A cold smirk tugged at Max’s lips. This only confirmed what he had already suspected–what happened to Liliana today was no accident.”
His grip on the phone tightened. Right now, he still needed Liliana to serve as a shield for Ashley. If he hadn’t been cautious and taken precautions in advance, who knew what kind of danger Ashley would have faced?N
- it.
His father hadn’t changed one bit. Anyone he disapproved of, he would find a way to eliminate–no matter the cost. That night, in the hospital room.
Max’s gaze swept over the faint scrape on Liliana’s leg, his eyes narrowing slightly.”
She didn’t notice the flicker of impatience in his expression.”
So this was what she called him here for? A tiny scratch and she had acted like it was something serious.
Still, Max didn’t let any annoyance show. Instead, he kept his expression warm, his smile gentle–just the way Liliana liked
“Maxie, stay with me tonight, okay?” She leaned in slightly, her voice soft and teasing. “Let’s do something.. fun together.“#
Whentis Love Changed Ma
12:52 AM
