Chapter 11

MAX'S POV

Hidden behind the slightly ajar restroom door, I stood motionless, my breath held as I listened to the conversation unfolding just a few feet away. Tamara’s voice, soft but laced with a bitterness I recognized, carried through the air.

"I only said yes to this engagement because of him," she said, her tone wavering. “Because of the way my ex-husband treated me. I just… I couldn’t let myself stay stuck in the past anymore, Richard.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. She wasn’t marrying Richard out of love. She was doing this to spite me, to punish me for my mistakes. For a brief moment, I felt a little of hope ... .if she cared enough to punish me, maybe she still cared at all.

“Tamara,” Richard replied after a pause, his voice heavy with sadness. “You don’t need to explain. I already knew… I could feel it. You don’t love me.”

“Richard, I’m sorry,” Tamara said, almost whispering. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I… I thought I could learn to love you.”

I couldn’t see his face, but the defeat in his voice was enough to paint the picture. “You’re just using me to get back at him,” Richard said, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. “Don’t worry about my feelings. I’ll play my part if it helps you heal, Tamara.”

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and hit record, careful not to make a sound. This was gold…evidence of her manipulation and Richard’s heartbreak. I smirked to myself, imagining how explosive this would be when I released it.

Richard sighed deeply. “I guess I should have seen this coming. But Tamara, don’t fool yourself. Punishing him won’t bring you peace.”

Tamara didn’t respond immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice trembled. “I know. I just… I didn’t know what else to do.”

I watched as they walked away from their spot near the restroom, their shoulders heavy with the weight of their conversation. Tamara glanced over her shoulder, as if she felt someone watching, but I was already retreating deeper into the shadows.

Once they were gone, I slipped my phone into my pocket and grinned. "This is perfect," I muttered under my breath. "Absolutely perfect."

I stepped out of my hiding spot, smoothing out my jacket like nothing had happened. The restroom was quiet, the faint hum of the party filtering through the walls. With a casual stride, I made my way back to the ballroom, the recorded video burning a metaphorical hole in my pocket.

Scanning the crowd, my eyes landed on Nadia. She was standing near the bar, leaning closer to Richard than I was comfortable with. Her smile was soft, her body language open and inviting. I frowned, narrowing my eyes as I watched her.

Nadia. My girlfriend. Or at least, she was supposed to be.

I made my way toward her, weaving through the clusters of people. When I finally reached her side, she flinched at the sight of me, as if I’d caught her doing something wrong. Guilt flashed across her face before she quickly masked it with a nervous smile.

“Max!” she said, her voice a little too high-pitched.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my tone cold and direct.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, her eyes darting toward Richard before meeting mine again. “Just… chatting.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Chatting?”

She nodded, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress. “Yes, just chatting.”

I didn’t believe her for a second. The way she looked at Richard, the way she leaned closer to him…it was more than just casual conversation. But I didn’t have time to deal with her. I had bigger plans, bigger priorities.

“You know what, Nadia?” I said, stepping back. “I got something important to do.” I walked out on her for the very first time.

Her eyes widened. “Max, what are you talking about?”

I didn’t bother explaining. Let her figure it out. I had a wedding to destroy.

Pulling out my phone, I opened the video and hovered over the upload button. My heart raced with happiness as I imagined the chaos this would cause. Tamara and Richard’s engagement would be the scandal of the century.

But then I noticed the connection was poor and it couldn't upload.

I laughed to myself, a low, sinister chuckle that drew a few curious glances from nearby guests. Let them wonder. This was my moment.

Without hesitation, I hit upload, watching as the video began to process. My grin widened as I pocketed the phone. “Let’s see how perfect their little world is now,” I muttered, turning away from the crowd.

And with that, I walked out onto the balcony, the cool night air washing over me. The game was just beginning.

The ballroom buzzed with life, laughter, and the soft hum of orchestral music, but I wasn’t paying attention to any of it.

My focus was entirely on my phone, fingers trembling slightly as I prepared to upload the video I had managed to capture. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. Enough to unravel the carefully crafted façade the Johnson family had built.

As I hovered over the “Post” button, my lips curled into a victorious smirk. This was it…just one click, and everything would change.

Then it happened.

A servant carrying a tray of champagne flutes brushed past me. His elbow nudge my hand, and my phone slipped from my grasp.

“Hey!” I shouted, but it was too late.

The phone tumbled through the air in slow motion…or at least, that’s how it felt. It hit the floor with a loud thud, the sound cutting through the ballroom noise like a dagger.

I bent down quickly, panic bubbling in my chest. Before I could retrieve it, two children…no older than eight…came barreling toward me, their laughter piercing and oblivious.

“Watch where you’re…”

My words caught in my throat as their tiny feet trampled right over my phone. I froze, staring in horror as the screen cracked under their weight, spiderweb fractures spreading across the glass.

The boy and girl stopped, their playful giggles faltering as they noticed me glaring at them.

“You little brats!” I snarled, grabbing them each by the ear.

“Ow! Let go!” the boy cried, squirming in my grip.

“Please, it hurts!” the girl wailed, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Their cries drew attention. Heads turned, conversations stopped, and soon, a hush fell over the ballroom. My heart sank as I felt dozens of eyes on me, judging, questioning.

I released the kids instantly, my hands dropping to my sides. “Get out of here!” I snapped, my voice low and venomous.

The children ran off, still sniffling, and the crowd slowly returned to their merriment, though I could feel a few lingering stares. I forced myself to straighten my suit and ignore the burning shame crawling up my neck.

Bending down, I picked up my phone. The screen was shattered beyond recognition. Rage bubbled within me, threatening to spill over.

I stormed out of the ballroom, ignoring the curious glances that followed me. Once outside, I let out a guttural scream, the sound echoing into the empty corridor.

“This is ridiculous!” I spat, pacing back and forth. “Who brings kids to an adult engagement? They have no business being here!”