108

108
 Maximus’ POV  

For the first time in days, I feel a sense of relief. My kids are safe. That’s all that matters. Even though Anna sprained her wrist and has to wear a bandage for now, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of pride. Turns out, she was the one riling up their kidnapper, protecting Asher from getting hit. I guess whoever took them doesn’t like quick-witted kids.  

Anna may have my looks, but she’s got Selene’s sharp tongue. And while that might have made things worse for her in that hellhole, I’m glad she never backed down. She’s strong.  

What I don’t feel good about is Selene still believing I had something to do with this. No matter what I say, no matter what I do, she refuses to let go of the idea that I was involved. And honestly? I’m getting tired of proving my innocence.  

But nothing could have prepared me for the shock I got this morning.  

Selene called me early.  

When Selene asked me to spend time with the kids, I was stunned.. Ever since they were found, I’d been asking and begging for more time with them, but she kept shutting me down. So why the sudden change of heart?  

For a brief moment, I let myself believe she was finally accepting me again, maybe even forgiving me for the past. But no, it turns out Anna and Asher had been asking to see me. And who was I to refuse them?  

I missed them more than words could say.  

I watched as Selene quickly sent me a wave of hand before she zoomed off, together with Avery, not even bothering to say hi.

I wonder what could have happened.

Well, that doesn’t matter.

Because today, I’m spending the day at the park, and as I sit here, watching my precious children laugh between bites of lunch, I realize just how much I’ve been missing out on. 

This is what happiness feels like. I took the day off just to be here, and seeing the joy on their faces makes it worth every second.  

But beneath the happiness, there’s an unease I can’t shake.  

Someone tried to hurt my kids. Who could be that cruel? They’re just children. Innocent and full of life.  

And yet, the case has hit a wall. Every lead leads to a dead end.

The only thing Anna and Asher remember is the voice of a woman. No other sounds, no other people.  

Just her.  

I’m lost in thought when Asher suddenly throws his arms around me, laughing loudly.  

"Anna is slow, Dad! I beat her in hide-and-seek!" He grins, his excitement infectious. But then, just as quickly as his laughter came, his face falls. His little brows furrow, and his voice turns quiet.  

"Why won’t you come live with us, Dad?" He hesitates, then mumbles, "Other kids have a complete family. We’re the only ones who just have Mom. Don’t you miss us?"  

His words hit harder than I expect.  

I chuckle, ruffling his hair, trying to keep the mood light even as his question lingers in the air.  

"Come here," I say, motioning for Anna to join us. I scoop them both up, settling them on my thighs, holding them close.  

They’re so innocent. So unaware of the weight of the world around them. I remember when I used to be like this..when life was simple, when I didn’t have to worry about running a company, tracking down whoever’s been sabotaging me, or proving myself to anyone. I was just a kid, growing up, living freely.  

And for a moment, sitting here with them, I wish they could stay this way forever.

"I wish it were that simple," I murmur, my voice low. "I hurt your mom, and I broke her heart. But I promise I’ll do my best to fix everything so we can finally be together again. One happy family."  

I cup their little faces, looking into their innocent eyes. "But I need you to promise me something too. Take care of Mommy, okay? No giving her a headache. She’s already under too much stress, and she doesn’t need more."  

They nod eagerly, their tiny heads bobbing up and down.

I smile press a kiss to the tops of their heads, letting myself savor this moment. If only things could stay this way forever. If only Selene were here with us. But I know it’s only a matter of time before she forgives me.  

Just as I’m lost in my thoughts, a gruff voice cuts through the air.  

"I thought I was seeing things. But no… it’s true, Maximus!”

My body stiffens. I turn my head slowly, my stomach dropping the moment I see Mason striding toward us, hands casually tucked into his pockets. 

I gulp.

What the hell?

His eyes flick to Anna, then back to me, a smirk playing on his lips.  

"You do have kids elsewhere. Selene’s even.” he says, his tone laced with something unreadable. "And might I say, your daughter is your exact copy. So? Aren’t you going to introduce me to my niece and nephew?"  

I don’t respond. I can’t.  

He studies my expression, his smirk deepening. "Why are you looking at me like that? You seem… tense. What’s going on?"  

I force myself to mask my shock, but my mind is racing. What the hell is Mason doing here?  

And more importantly, how does he know about Selene and the kids?

I get that Anna looks exactly like me, but why does Mason automatically assume Selene is their mother? There are plenty of women he could have considered.,so why her?  

My stomach twists. He’s obsessed.  

And I don’t like it.  

It’s like he thinks Selene belongs to him. Like she’s some prize he missed out on. Did he follow me here?  

I didn’t even notice if someone was tailing me. That’s what bothers me the most. I’ve been careful. Meticulous, even. My family finding out about my children has been a complete disaster. It’s not that I’m ashamed of them. I’d never be ashamed of them. I’m just… cautious. But Mason? He always seems to know things he shouldn’t.  

I glare at him, my patience snapping.  

"You followed me, didn’t you?” My voice comes out sharp, laced with anger. “This is seriously getting out of hand. Mason, you’re beginning to creep me out. There are plenty of women out there who’d willingly date you. Women who aren’t Selene. Get a grip."  

He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t react the way I expect him to.  

Instead, he just stares. Not at me, but at my kids. His eyes narrow. Dark. Unreadable.

And for the first time, real fear coils in my gut.

There’s something off about Mason. Something that’s been brewing beneath the surface since the start of summer.  

He’s different now. Unhinged.  

Quicker to anger. More violent. And worst of all, he doesn’t seem to know when to back down.  

Raymond told me Selene rejected him. Maybe that explains why he’s been acting like this..why there’s this constant edge to him, this simmering rage he can’t seem to shake. But that doesn’t mean he gets to take it out on me.  

I’m not Selene. I’m not the one who turned him down. He was a damn fool to think she’d ever go for him in the first place. Mason and Selene? That was never going to happen. He was delusional if he thought otherwise.  

But he doesn’t respond to me.  

Doesn’t acknowledge a single word I’ve said.  

Instead, he crouches down, his gaze locking onto my children.  

Anna stiffens immediately, her tiny fingers tightening around my clothes. I feel the tremble in her grip, the way her body tenses, as if every instinct in her is screaming danger.  

"Hello, I’m your Uncle Mason," he says smoothly, flashing a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. His gaze flickers to Anna. "And what’s your name, pretty little girl?"  

Anna doesn’t answer.  

Unbothered, he turns to Asher, tilting his head. "And what about you, big boy? What’s your name?"  

Asher clings to me instantly, his small hands gripping my shirt as he buries his face in my chest. "I'm scared, Daddy," he whispers.  

Mason scoffs. "Scared?" His tone is laced with disbelief, like the idea of my son fearing him is offensive.  

I step between him and my children, my patience thinning. "Just leave. You’re scaring them. They just went through a traumatic experience…they’re not good with strangers right now.”

“Are you being serious, Maximus? I’m their uncle!”

“And they don’t want to talk to you yet. Please, leave. We’ll get to talk later."  

Mason watches me for a beat, then smirks as his gaze lingers on Anna and Asher. “Very well then.”

Without another word, he turns on his heel and walks away.  

But long after he’s gone, unease gnaws at me.  

Something’s not right.  

Mason is up to something.  

What if he didn’t take Selene’s rejection well? What if his anger isn’t just about her..but about me? About my children?  

I shake my head, pushing the thought away.  

I’m overthinking it. He’s my brother. He wouldn’t harm me.  

Would he?