Chapter 82 Forgiveness

Emily had listened to everything in absolute silence, unable to stop her eyes from fogging up, she felt betrayed, humiliated, and full of rage, but she tried to pretend as best she could.

If he understood what was happening, Aiden had left to investigate his father, but why? She slid her gaze to Isabella and her brother, though they seemed as surprised as the others, apparently, they were already aware that Aiden was up to something.

Could it be that they were the ones who sent Aiden to investigate? Yes, it was the safest thing to do, why else would Aiden investigate his father on his own?

So, for that reason, he left and possibly did not say anything to her, because he could not reveal what he would do, to Maximilian's own daughter.

Maximo and Aiden owed her an explanation, definitely, Emily weighed angrily.

After a few exchanges of words, Marian, Emily's mother, smiled while murmuring about her freedom, Emily looked at her confused, what freedom was she talking about?

Emily put her hand to her head with a terrible migraine, this was a mess, a complete confusion and she was not aware of any of this. He even had a half-brother! She would never have imagined something like that.

It seemed that he was living his whole life inside a bubble. She looked up at her father, understanding that she was always secluded, in a bubble that Maximilian had created, or, rather, that stranger she called father.

Minutes later, other men entered, their appearances were formal, although their expressions were somber, scary, Emily swallowed thickly.

Another argument ensued and Emily learned a new truth that left her horrified, her father was not only a fake and a liar, but he also collaborated with the mobsters and was a common thief.

Perhaps he used to be a man of humble origins, who did not mind getting his hands dirty and creating a web of lies to get rich.

Emily closed her eyes for a moment, that educated, wealthy, serious, upright, authoritarian and respected man, the one she called with satisfaction "father", the one who taught her to be proud of her status and the greatness of her family name, that man, was nothing but a fiasco.

It was as if she had been kicked in the stomach, Emily hugged herself to lessen the tremors in her body, she wanted to scream and burst into tears, in rage, in indignation, but she would not please Maximilian, she would not let him affect her again.

Emily's pride was mortally wounded, her arrogance had vanished, a beating of humility lashed her at that humiliating moment.

The young woman looked up at Aiden, who was next to her cousin, Isabella, and next to Maximo. She watched them with heavy breathing, realizing an important point: Isabella and she had something in common.

Both young women had a prestigious surname and one of their parents came from nowhere, he was an ordinary person, from humble origins or, rather, he came from poverty.

But unlike Emily, at least Isabella could lift her face without shame and be proud of her parents' integrity, because they were always honest and good, unlike Maximilian, what he did, was the lowest she could hear.

From one moment to the next, the argument became a horrible scenario, his father, Maximilian, had a gun in his hands and pointed it at the men in the office who drew more weapons in defense.

Emily's heart, like that of the others present, rumbled with fear, she had never even seen a weapon in her life, her legs were shaking, her face was pale.

But it was worse when she saw her father pointing directly at Aiden, an avalanche of adrenaline hit her, making her react without her realizing it, when she least expected it, she was in the middle, begging for Aiden's life and confessing first and foremost her love.

The next thing that happened, she would never have expected, because despite all the lies, it was her own father, none of those present imagined it, Maximilian shot his own daughter in a fit of rage and Emily fell into unconsciousness, in the arms of her beloved Aiden.

"Princess!" Princess! Aiden called her, holding her with one arm, while, with his other hand, he checked and felt her, looking for the sign of a bullet.

"Aiden!" - Maximus said, worried, holding his father tightly by the collar of his shirt with one hand and in the other, he held the weapon he had snatched from him.

"Nothing happened to her, she is not injured, and she is breathing normally... I think he fainted from the fright of the shot. Aiden blurted out with relief at not finding any wounds, he looked up to see the bullet mark on a wall. - The bullet didn't hit her, you saved her, Maximo, thank you. Aiden nodded, his eyes welling with tears.

"Damn wretch! Maximo growled in his father's face. "You shot your own daughter..."

- Max... Son...! Maximilian stammered, realizing the serious mistake he had made. - I'm sorry, son, I didn't mean to do it, I...

"I'm not interested in your excuses!" Maximo said with fury and disdain in his eyes. “Your actions speak louder than your words!

“Max... Let's talk about this, I'll apologize to Emily, nothing bad happened..." Maximilian begged, his voice trembling.

"The deal was for a week, wasn't it?!" Ignoring his father's pleas, Máximo turned to Don Marco.

"That's right, boy! A week and if they don't comply...! Don Marco raised a finger in a threat but was interrupted by Maximo.

"You can stay with him for a month if you wish!" Máximo offered, pushing Maximilian towards the mafia men.

"No! Max! What are you doing?! Son! Maximilian shouted, fighting desperately, trying to escape from the hands of the mafiosi. "Max! Emily! Forgive me! “The man begged, before the astonished eyes of those present.

"Max..." Isabella approached her spouse, worried. "Are you sure?" It's your father...

"That man is not my father or anyone else's, he doesn't deserve that title..." Maximus replied, watching furiously as the men dragged Maximilian away. "He's just crying because he's a coward, trying to save himself, not because he's truly sorry. There is a big difference between the desperate attempt to save oneself and true honesty.

In silence, everyone watched as Maximilian was carried away, their screams and moans fading away as they walked away.

“Maximum... I'll take Emily to her room. Aiden lifted the unconscious young woman into his arms.

Máximo observed him seriously. The connection between Aiden and Emily was evident and surprised Maximo, who did not know about their relationship. However, the way Aiden held her protectively indicated that there was something deep and serious between them.

"Well, I'll call a doctor to check it out..." Máximo nodded with some suspicion. "In a few minutes I'll be with you."

Aiden nodded and walked out with Emily in his arms, and Elena stopped before reaching the door.

"Young man, I've done my part, I want to go..." the woman murmured, showing a slight discomfort.

"Mrs. Elena, wait!" Isabella called her, seeing her intention to leave.

"Isabella..." Elena turned to her with a kind smile, and they both gave each other a brief hug. - I'm sorry I ignored you; I wasn't sure you would have recognized me or if it was right to greet you in front of everyone...

"Okay, I understand..." Isabella nodded.

As Aiden left the room, some members of the Collins family got up to leave, when a scream chilled the air.

"Attention everyone! Maximus announced, placing himself in front of his father's desk. "I know it shouldn't be necessary to say it, but no one should talk about what happened here today. Everything stays within these four walls... Maximilian is traveling, got it? - Everyone nodded. "When the time comes, Maximilian will pay for the accusations we have seen, in prison. We will continue to gather evidence and there will be no mercy, I assure you. The Collins do not tolerate faults like these, whoever they come from, even if it is my own father..." Maximus concluded with determination. “They can withdraw.

The few guests left, staying in the office, Isabella with Elena, Marian, and Maximo, as there were still questions to be asked.