Chapter 2

"I received an invitation this morning from Armand," Maxwell explained, still facing Armand and Casey.

Armand frowned, his expression shifting to one of wounded innocence. "I already regret inviting him, mother. Can you believe how disrespectful he's being? I try to be the bigger person, include him in my special day, and this is how he repays me?"

 He shook his head. "He shows up looking like he just rolled out of bed, insults Casey right to her face, and has the nerve to make jokes about my past marriages in front of my bride."

Casey nodded along, placing a supportive hand on Armand's arm. "It's been really hurtful, honestly. I thought today would be perfect, but..."

"He even told me I'd fail at this marriage," Armand continued, his voice taking on an injured tone. "On my wedding day. Who does that? What kind of brother tries to ruin the happiest day of his brother's life?"

Hearing that, Debra glared at Maxwell in anger. "Are you seriously causing a scene at your brother's wedding?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

Maxwell didn't have the strength to deny their lies. After all, it would be in vain as Debra would believe them over him anyways. He didn't even turn around and look at her.

He would rather not see her face, or he might snap and finally say everything he'd swallowed for years.

That she was not the kind, successful woman people thought she was and admired, but a cold, calculating woman who had perfected the art of indifference.

That her eyes always saw flaws and had never once softened for him.

That no matter how well he behaved, no matter how much he tried to fit into this family, he would always be an embarrassment in her eyes. And if he said all that now, in front of all these people, there would be no taking it back.

Maxwell began to explain himself, however he did not look at her, "I'm not the one who…."

"You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you enjoy embarrassing this family every time you show your face?" Debra said, cutting him off before he could explain himself.

She didn't care about his explanation, because he was in the wrong, no matter what.

The guests were watching now, whispering to each other. They had never seen Debra this cold towards anyone. But guess her disappointment of a son really had a way of getting under her nerves. They pity the fact that she had to deal with that.

Maxwell didn't deserve such a family, and he deserved the treatment he got from them, especially since he was a disappointment to the family. Despite being 27 years old, he had never made anything of himself.

Maxwell didn't say anything. Nothing new was happening here. He was used to it. Being called an embarrassment by his own mother? It was every chance she got.

That's all he was to her.

But why? What had he done to deserve her disgust? Had he been born wrong? Had he simply existed in a way she couldn't stand?

Debra exhaled, shaking her head like she was tired of even looking at him. Then she turned to Armand, her expression softening a little. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. Your brother still doesn't know his place."

Maxwell clenched his fists at that, he struggled to not say something to her.

Debra turned back to him. "Apologize."

Maxwell frowned, what was she saying? He was supposed to apologize, when he was not the one in the wrong?

"What?"

"Get on your knees," she said simply. "Apologize to your brother, properly."

A few gasps of shock sounded from the crowd, followed by silence. Even Armand seemed surprised, but he grinned in amusement. He was superior to Maxwell, so it was only right that he knelt before him.

Kneel?! That was absurd. Maxwell wanted to laugh in her face, but he also felt his body tense.

Every instinct told him to refuse, to walk away. But he knew better. He knew Debra. If he didn't do it, she'd make things worse.

Maxwell straightened his back. He looked his mother in the eye, then turned his gaze to Armand.

"Fine," Maxwell said, his voice deceptively calm.

Armand grinned, expecting Maxwell to drop to his knees and beg for forgiveness.

However, to his shock, Maxwell didn't kneel. He simply said, "I'm sorry." Maxwell's voice was loud enough for the nearby guests to hear. "I'm sorry that no matter how old you get, you'll always be the same insecure man who needs validation from a crowd to feel important."

As soon as those words left Maxwell's mouth, Armand's smirk vanished, replaced by fury.

The whispers from the guests returned, this time not mocking but shocked.

Maxwell turned to Debra, meeting her gaze head-on. "Anything else?"

He didn't wait for a response, or for Debra to scream. He turned and walked away.

"Maxwell!" Debra hissed behind him.

She glared at him, furious, but he was already gone before she could utter anything else.

Maxwell didn't stop until he reached the long, quiet hallway on the other side of the mansion. The noise of the party was just a dry hum here. He leaned his back against the cold wall and let out a long breath.

He checked his pocket as his phone vibrated.

It was that same unknown number again.

Maxwell stared at the screen with a frown. It had been calling him non-stop for the last hour. The one time he had answered earlier, there was just silence on the other end.

"Probably a scammer," he muttered to no one but himself, shoving the phone back into his pocket without answering.

The sound of heels clicking on the floor made him look up. He tensed, thinking it was Debra coming to yell at him again, but the footsteps were lighter.

A woman was walking toward him. She was stunning, wearing a dark red dress that fit her body perfectly. She looked to be about his age.

Maxwell's eyes involuntarily swept over her figure. It was a natural reaction; she was attractive. But the moment he realized he was staring, he quickly diverted his gaze to the floor, feeling a bit awkward.

He hoped she hadn't noticed.

"Not even hiding it, huh?" a playful voice said.

Maxwell looked up. The woman was standing in front of him, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. She wasn't offended; she was flirting.

"Sorry," Maxwell said casually. "I didn't mean to stare."