Catelyn stormed her way into the mansion, ignoring the maids and guards who bowed in her presence. She pushed her way into his room, her gaze finally locking onto the man she was looking for-her older brother.
“Tell me this isn’t true,” Catelyn’s voice trembled. Maximus looked up at her, his usual stoic expression unchanging. He didn’t seem surprised by her return.
“Hello, little sis…”
“Don’t you dare greet me,” she cut him off. “Tell me you didn’t fake Isabella’s death, that you didn’t send your eighteen-year-old daughter to a brothel to sleep with different men and have a bastard child. Tell me you didn’t send Maya into an abusive marriage on purpose just for your empire. Tell me you didn’t make Tatiana go through hell… Tell me!” Catelyn’s voice rose, her eyes blazing with fury.
Maximus remained calm, asking a simple question, “How is this your concern?”
“My concern?” Catelyn scoffed in disbelief. “I watched Tatiana traumatized by everything you put her through. They are your blood, your daughters!”
“And they should listen to me!” Maximus snapped, standing to face her, his eyes flashing with anger. Catelyn noticed the burn scars covering the right side of his face.
“What happened to you?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Mr. King did this,” Maximus replied.
Catelyn scoffed again. “You deserve it. He should’ve burned you alive. I would’ve been happy to see your ashes, dear brother.”
“What did I tell you the day Tatiana left?” Maximus asked.
Catelyn clenched her jaw. “That she would suffer? God, Maximus, you’re a monster. I knew you were ruthless since we were kids. I know you’re used to the dark side of the world, but this is too much. You’re sick. So sick, I don’t even recognize you.”
Maximus sighed, stepping closer. “You haven’t seen me in years. Aren’t you going to give your big brother a hug?”
Without hesitation, Catelyn slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing through the room.
If anyone else had dared to strike him like that, Maximus would’ve tortured and killed them without a second thought.
“Does it look like I’m joking, Max? Where is Tristan? I should warn him, too,” Catelyn said, her eyes brimming with tears, her heart heavy with hatred, guilt, and disgust.
“You shouldn’t have come, Cat. Go back to your son and grandson. Tatiana must’ve told you everything, thinking you could stop me, but you can’t. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect and build my empire,” Maximus said softly, yet firmly.
“You’re insane. Why did you start the empire in the first place? What was your reason?” Catelyn stepped closer, challenging him.
“Because of you… and Tristan. The King has Tristan, and they’re probably torturing him right now, planning to kill him. This war is brutal, and I don’t want you dragged into it.”
“Tatiana is my daughter,” she replied, shaking her head. “You should look in the mirror and see the monster you’ve become. I’m taking Maya and Isabella out of here, away from you.”
She turned to leave, but the guards blocked her path.
“What are you going to do? Lock me up? Kill me?” Catelyn scoffed.
“Cat, you don’t want to do this,” Maximus whispered.
Catelyn spun to face him. “You were once my sweet brother, the man who would do anything to protect his family. But now, I don’t see that man anymore. You’re using your own daughters. Power has blinded you from seeing those you love. I hate you, Max, and I won’t stop until you’re destroyed. Remember that.”
Maximus clenched his fists, his jaw tight. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, then signaled to the guards. “Lock her up.”
As the guards led Catelyn away, she shot one last glare at her brother before disappearing from the room.
—
“Mom, you shouldn’t have gone to the mansion,” Tatiana said, her eyes wide with worry as she paced around the room.
“Don’t panic, dear. He won’t hurt me; he’s just locking me up. I’m not running from him. I’m here to knock some sense into his head,” Catelyn’s voice came through the phone.
Tatiana sighed in relief. “That’s a relief. I’m so sorry for dragging you into this. I never meant to cause you trouble.”
“What? No. I’m mad you didn’t tell me about this sooner. Maximus is too blind to see reason. I heard he’s planning to marry Isabella off to a man named Silence. He must be dangerous,” Catelyn said.
“Please be safe,” Tatiana said, her voice filled with concern. “Have you seen Isabella?”
“No… not yet, and I don’t know where he’s keeping her.”
“Alright, thank you for coming,” Tatiana replied.
“You’re welcome, my love. Take care, sweethearts,” Catelyn said before ending the call.
Tatiana sighed, pulling out her phone, where news of her marriage still blazed through the internet. Her heart ached as she recalled Jolene’s words from that night, echoing in her head.
She admitted everything, but it all felt like a lie.
Jolene’s actions and emotions over the years weren’t an act. Jolene was transparent. Tatiana would’ve known if something was wrong.
Her mind flashed with Jolene’s tear-streaked, broken face, and Tatiana gripped her phone tightly. Was she doing the right thing by leaving her behind?
Jolene had confessed to being the little bird… So what? Jolene had helped her, time and time again.