113

113
 Maximus POV

It’s been over an hour since the police took Jess away, and the weight of it all still hasn’t fully hit me. She’s finally going to pay for what she’s done. 

Her words echo in my head, and I can’t seem to shake them. I can’t believe all these years I’ve been lied to. Kylie isn’t even my daughter. Jess has been deceiving me all this time. But I won’t let that define how I see Kylie. I will prove Jess wrong. 

When I look at my child, I won’t see someone else’s daughter. I’ll see my daughter, and nothing Jess says will change that. If she thinks that I’m going to hate Kylie because of her lies, she’s sorely mistaken. 

Kylie has always been the light in my life. She’s the reason I’ve been able to endure this broken marriage for as long as I have. Every morning, seeing her smile makes everything worth it. The thought of ever telling her she wasn’t mine is unthinkable, especially with the anxiety issues she’s been battling thanks to Jess. I would never put that on her—she’s already going through enough.

Anna and Asher are her siblings, and that’s something Jess can never take away. I’ll make sure Kylie is kept far from her. She doesn’t deserve a daughter like her, and I’ll protect my child from the damage Jess has caused.

I always wonder why Kylie doesn’t look anything like me, why she’s got all of Jess’s features. But at least she didn’t inherit her nasty attitude. 

“I can’t believe it’s finally over. Who would’ve thought Jess was the one trying so hard to kill me?” Selene sighs, lowering her gaze to avoid looking me in the eyes.

Her voice sounds strained. “I’m sorry, Maximus, for blaming you for everything. I was such an idiot to believe Jess and her lies. After our divorce, I was so angry. I had to work and go to school at the same time. When I gave birth to Anna and Asher, I thought about you and what it would have been like with you by my side.” 

She lifts her gaze to meet mine, and I can see how teary her eyes are. “When they woke up crying in the middle of the night, my mind immediately went to you. My hatred for you grew. I didn’t even want to hear your name. I know there’s no apology that would change everything. I was mad and horrible to you—”

I stop her rant by gently placing my index finger on her lips. Selene makes a funny face, but she’s silent.

"You shouldn't be the one apologizing. This is all on me, Selene," I insist. "I was the one who screwed up. I ruined our marriage by believing some stupid pictures and lies fed. I didn't even ask you; I just believed that bitch. I abandoned you when you needed me the most. Forgive me, but one thing I know for sure is that my feelings for you will never change. I love you, Selene."

I hold her hand, kissing it gently. Selene smiles, blushing deeply.

"Wow, what a touching scene," a voice interrupts. "I was almost moved to tears by your display of affection, Maximus. But seriously? You should be dead, but somehow you survived."

I hear a chuckle as well as a few claps from behind me, and when I turn to see who it is, I’m right. Just as I’d predicted. 

It’s Mason.

My heart skips a beat.

What the hell did he just say?

“What the fck did you say, Mason?”

He laughs, striding more confidently towards where Selene and I stand. “That bomb explosion was meant to take out everyone, including Benjamin, whom I sent. That’s right, Maximus, I’m the one behind your sabotage,” he continues, grinning widely. 

“The orphanage, the construction worker, Henry O'Hara, sending you those threatening messages.. it was all me. I am “M”. And I must say, I had fun, but now the fun is over. My sidekick is dead. I told him I don’t like loose ends, so I had to end his life. Benjamin is practically useless to me.”

I gulp. Selene gasps.
What the hell?

It’s one shocking revelation after another. First Jess, now this?! 

“You’re lucky Raymond survived. I don’t know how he got out of the building on time, but that’s not my business. My fight isn’t with him.” Mason steps closer. “Now come over here, let’s go, Selene.” He flashes a wink at Selene. “I’ve already arranged a plane to take us anywhere you want. We can get married and live however we want.”

Selene takes a step back. 

Mason stares at us and when he sees Selene didn’t do just as he instructed, he shakes his head and then digs his hand into his pocket.

Within a blink of an eye, he pulls out his hand and now has a gun pointing towards us. 

“What the hell? Put that fcking gun down!” I yell, but he only laughs..

My hand instinctively moves Selene behind me, determined not to let my brother hurt the woman I love.

"Why are you doing this, Mason? This isn’t you. Are you drunk? Selene is not going anywhere with you. She doesn’t belong to you..stop this madness right now!" I shout, trying to reach some sense in him.

Mason only chuckles darkly before scratching his hair in an aggressive manner. 

A whirlwind of emotions rushes through me, but shock, surprise, and worry take the lead. Worry, especially, for Mason. I've never seen him like this. He looks completely unhinged, like a person I don’t even recognize.

"I knew you’d say that, which is why I’ve prepared a little surprise for you," he says, his voice laced with excitement. He waves his hand and orders, "Bring them up!"

He turns back to us, his eyes cold. "And don’t even think of doing anything funny, or I’ll put a bullet through your head..and theirs too." 

Selene gasps as she immediately sees her children, tied up and being dragged into the room by the nanny. 

I gulp. What? Wasn’t Nelly arrested?

The three of them are crying, terrified, their faces streaked with tears. The nanny is shaking as she hands them over to Mason. 

I freeze, not expecting what happens next. 

“Good.” Mason smiles at her.

“Can I leave.. sir?” Nelly asks.

Mason’s smile grows deeper. “Sure. You did a good job.”

Nelly bows her head gratefully, not even sparing Selene a glance.

Just as she turns, she barely takes a step before Mason pulls the trigger, shooting her in the leg. 

We all gasp.

Nelly screams in agony, falling to the ground. 

“You’re such a foolish being.” 

But Mason isn’t done. With a cold, cruel laugh, he pushes her down the stairs, then fires three shots into the ceiling, the sound echoing like thunder in the room. 

The children scream even harder, their cries breaking through the tense silence.

"Oops, my hands slipped," Mason chuckles, his voice dripping with malice. "Don't even think your security is coming. They're all dead. I wasted all my bullets on them." He pauses, his smile widening as he turns towards me. "Now, if you don’t want to see me blow out your children's brains, come over here right now, Selene! I'll start with the little girl. She seems to have a sharp mouth, just like her father."
He ruffles Anna’s hair.

Selene immediately lets go of my hand.

“W..what are you doing, Selene?” My heart pounds. Her face suddenly becomes pale, but determined as she slowly walks toward Mason, her steps heavy with fear.

Mason grins widely as he grabs her by the neck, the gun aimed at her head. He pulls her closer, breathing in her scent, his moan sending a chill down my spine. I can’t move, can’t breathe. 

The sight of my brother in this state is enough to make my blood run cold.

"Just let my children go, please. They’re your niece and nephew..p..please. Why are you doing this?" Selene pleads, her voice trembling with fear.

I use her words, her desperation, as a distraction. Slowly, I inch closer, hoping to close the gap without alerting Mason. 

Mason scoffs, his grip tightening on the gun. "That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. I don’t care if they’re related to me or not." His smile widens, cruel and unforgiving. "Any last words for your kids?" he taunts.

Selene goes silent, her breath shallow as she tries to keep her composure. 

I move faster now, but it’s too late. Mason raises the gun, aiming it at Anna with deliberate slowness. 

The next moment, Anna screams, and Selene, in a desperate move, pushes the children down the banister to safety. 

Before I can reach her, Selene and Mason fall, tumbling down the stairs in a chaotic blur. My heart stops when I hear the sickening thud of their bodies hitting the ground. 

I close my eyes for a moment, praying I’m wrong. But when I open them again, I see Selene sprawled on top of Mason, a pool of blood surrounding them both. My legs feel like they’re made of lead as I rush down the stairs. 

When I reach her, my heart shatters. Selene lies motionless, blood staining her clothes, her skin pale and cold. I can barely breathe as I kneel beside her, desperate to find any sign of life. 

But the blood... there’s so much blood.