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Chapter 44: A Bond Tested
Last Updated:
2025-01-23 16:47:02
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I could feel the storm brewing before Maximilian even stepped into the room. His presence filled the space before he did, and when his sharp gaze found mine, it was like the air had been sucked out of the room. His jaw was tense, his normally perfect suit slightly wrinkled, as though he'd been running his hand through his hair in frustration—a rare crack in his usual facade. “Eliza.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “We need to talk.” I straightened in my chair, setting down the book I’d been pretending to read. My pulse quickened, not from fear, but from the weight of whatever was about to be said. Maximilian didn’t ask to talk unless it was serious. “Is something wrong?” I asked cautiously, folding my hands in my lap to keep them from shaking. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he crossed the room and stood by the window, staring out into the city skyline. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. “I made a mistake,” he said finally, his tone clipped,
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I sat across from Maximilian in the dim glow of the library. The fire crackled softly, casting shadows on the walls, but there was a tension in the room that was impossible to ignore. His jaw was clenched, his gaze distant. Whatever storm was brewing inside him, I knew it was darker than anything he had let me see before."Maximilian," I said gently, breaking the heavy silence. "Talk to me. Please."He didn't respond immediately. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair, a sure sign that he was fighting some internal battle."Eliza, you wouldn't understand," he finally muttered, his voice rough."Try me," I insisted, leaning forward. "You keep shutting me out, and it's tearing us apart. Whatever it is, I want to help."His eyes flickered to mine, and for a moment, I thought he would open up. But then he shook his head as if dismissing the thought."It's not that simple," he said. "Some things are better left buried."I stood up, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "You
