FIFTEEN

That had to be it. Otherwise, why would she go through the trouble? She was mad that he’d been with Lisandra and was trying to get back at him. In his head, that was the only reason she'd go to such lengths. Upon reaching that conclusion, another realization struck him. His wife wasn't seeing anyone. Which meant he could pursue her. He didn't have to worry about other men because they didn't exist. Moving away from the window, he left the study, heading upstairs. He had plans, some of which included gaining Emilia's affection and trust.

But on the landing, he stopped when he saw his mother's bedroom door open. It hit him then that he hadn't seen much of her ever since Gwen's engagement party. Striding towards her room, he knocked. "Mom?" Max called out, even though he knew he wouldn't get a response. In the nine years his mother had been in that wheelchair, she hadn't spoken a single word. The doctors had said that her paralysis hadn't affected her ability to talk.

He'd looked for t