Chapter 2

I strode into the kitchen, determined to catch up with Maxwell. "Maxwell!" I called out, but he ignored me, continuing to walk away.

Increasing my pace, I shouted even louder, "Maxwell!!" He halted instantly, just in front of the kitchen.

As he stopped, so did I. "Are you avoiding me?" I asked.

Maxwell turned to face me, responding, "Is that why you've been shouting my name?"

Frustrated, I threw my hands in the air, exclaiming, "Oh... So you heard me."

His response came with a sarcastic smile, "Did you expect me to clap for you and your new boyfriend?"

I shot back instantly because I could sense what game he was trying to play, "Is that why you're inviting Evelyn?"

He looked at me, challenging, and retorted, "You didn't answer my question!"

I realized he was raising his voice and we weren't far from the dining. "Bring your voice down Maxwell, you're shouting, mum and dad aren't far from us, they could hear us," I said.

"That didn't seem to bother you while you were yelling my name right from the dining," he pointed out.

Drawing closer, I locked eyes with him. "Are you jealous?" I questioned.

Maxwell remained silent and I decided to move even closer, closing the distance between us. I repeated, "Are you jealous, Maxwell?"

Unable to contain himself, he seized me by the waist, pulling me into the kitchen. My heart raced as he pinned me against the wall, holding my hands above my head.

Without hesitation, he brought his lips to mine, initiating a passionate kiss that left us both breathless.

My whole body ignited with an intense heat as Maxwell's lips moved fervently from my lower lips to upper lips, and back again.

Our kiss overflowed with a passion I had never experienced before. His hands traced through my hair, gripping it with a sensational fierceness. Then he moved it down my ass, grabbing them just the way I liked it.

Breaking away from the kiss, Maxwell's breath mingled with mine as he questioned, "So, what's with Hunter Morgan?"

My breath came fast from the force of the kiss, and I stammered, "Uhm... There's nothing with Hunter."

Maxwell, still close, questioned, "Why didn't you tell mum there's nothing going on with Hunter?"

I retorted, "Did you actually expect me to tell my mum that I am crazily in love with my stepbrother? A pull I cannot resist? It would break her!"

"Let's run away, Elara," Maxwell suggested, leaving me speechless.

I stood there, my mind racing with questions, wondering if he was under the influence of something.

Stunned, I stammered, "Are you under the influence? What do you think everyone would say?"

Unbothered, he insisted, "That's exactly why we need to run away!"

"I... I..." I stammered as I tried to find the right words, but before I could, Maxwell silenced me by placing his hands on my lips, shushing me in a seductive way.

"We'll leave right after your graduation tomorrow. At least you'll be free," he proposed.

It was astonishing—Maxwell, the sole heir of Jaxon Harrington, willing to leave everything behind for me. I gulped, meeting his gaze.

Stammering again, I tried to speak, "I... I…"

"Shhhhh" He interrupted, "just kiss me."

I smiled, pulling Maxwell closer by his neck, ready to share another intimate kiss when Bianca—my mum—interrupted.

"I'll get more coffee for you, darling," she announced as we heard her approaching the kitchen.

In an instant, Maxwell and I swiftly separated, moving with the speed of light, avoiding a potential disaster if my mum had caught us kissing.

My mum entered with Jaxon’s cup in her hand, sensing an unusual atmosphere in the kitchen. My disheveled hair and our awkward postures likely raised suspicions.

She looked at me, then at Maxwell, who stood by the sink, pretending to wash his hands. Bianca inquired, "Why are you looking like a mess? Don't tell me you both were arguing again!"

Maxwell cleared his throat, turning to face her. "It's, uh... It's nothing. We were just planning for tomorrow," he explained before making a quick exit upstairs.

As soon as Maxwell left, my mum turned her attention to me. Avoiding her gaze, I stared out the window.

Hmmmmmm……" she sighed, taking a few steps toward me.

My heart was in disarray and I couldn't help but wonder if she had sensed what was going on. My mum walked closer, and to my shock, she said, "I understand what's going on."

My eyes widened, palms instantly sweaty as I stammered, "I... I can ex…..."

Before I could finish, she cut me off, whispering with a movement of her lips, spelling it out for me: "DON'T BE DUMB! Why do you think he doesn't want you to be with his friend, huh?"

I fell silent, feeling a cool breeze of relief. For a moment, I feared she had caught us. Imagine if I had spilled the beans when she didn't even suspect a thing.

In a hushed tone, she continued, "Everything you enjoy here, the money, the exquisite lifestyle, is all thanks to me!! When would you start thinking with your head and not your heart, you dumbass!"

Here we go again, typical Bianca. Everything about her revolved around money and power. She didn't care how I felt when she remarried just three months after my father's death – three months!

She didn't mourn him and didn't even allow me to mourn him to my satisfaction before introducing a new family, a new father, and a supposed brother I never saw as a brother.

He was the only one who made me feel alive again, and I never regretted giving my stepbrother my virginity. The only thing I regretted was having such an ambitious mother like Bianca.

I couldn't take it anymore, "enough, Mum!! I do not love Hunter." I protested.

Instantly, she swung her hand at my face, delivering a heavy slap. My face flinched, hair scattered, and tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Remember we have our little secret, darling." My mum coldly stated.

I turned to face her instantly with my hands on my cheeks. I harbored so much hatred for her.

She continued, "Remember the gardener that you pushed off your balcony?"

Trembling with fear, I shook my head. "That was self-defense mum!"

But the next thing she did was to remind me of the role she played in the little mistake I made while trying to defend myself.

"Who covered everything up for you? Me!! Who cleared the CCTV camera in our home? Me! Who dumped his body on the streets, making it look like an accident? Me! It's always me!! Me!! Me!! Who ends up saving your motherfucking ass!!!"

Tears couldn't stop falling from my cheeks. I pleaded, "Don't do this, Mum."

But Bianca paid no heed to me. She only continued whispering.

"We are not on the streets because I used my senses!!" She gestured dramatically, continuing, "Now, the son of a business mogul, a business tycoon just like your stepfather, is chasing after you, and you dare say no? You must be crazy as hell!"

I stood there, speechless, my eyes puffy from crying.

My mum gently wiped away my tears and said quietly but firmly: "Don't cry baby; Mummy loves you and will do everything to ensure we don't return to the slum where your father left us.

Do you understand? Now you're going to give Hunter Morgan a chance.

Whether you like it or not…

I hate you mum!!!!!