bChapter /bb216 /b

    Andrew was driven to fury by Max’s words.

    He said, “Do you know why we haven’t visited you all this time? Ste had Jordan do something vicious to us. Look at my body” Andrew quickly showed Max the wounds that still hadn’t healed.

    He added, “They didn’t even spare Anna. Ste is far too cruel.”

    Max noticed that the injuries on Andrew and Anna had mostly healed, and they looked lively, unlike Ste, who was still not fully recovered.

    Max almostughed. “While you’re talking about how miserable you’ve been, have you ever stopped to think why Ste would do this? Yes, I’ve only just woken up, but I already know a lot of what happened.

    “What you did to her in prison ising back on you now. Why are you always like this? You’re always trying to push the me onto someone elseb. /bbHow /bcan you be so selfish?”

    Andrew’s expression darkened. “Whose side are you on? What did Ste give you to make you defend her? When you had that car ident, she stood bby /band did nothing.”

    Max sneered. “Dad, I’ve got the whole story straight. Sure, Ste didn’t help me at first, but I got it. I hurt her deeply, and it’s only natural she wouldn’t

    want to help me.

    “When I had to pay for my surgery, you went to Mom, but she gave all the money to her family. You beat her, and she was seriously injured and lost the house. The rage made you ill, and all the pressure fell on Anna.

    “Mom took all of Anna’s money, so she couldn’t pay for our medical bills. It was Ste who transferred me to another hospital, where I got treatment and

    survived.

    “We only came back because Ste told Monroe about us, and he brought us back. Without her, you wouldn’t have recovered so quickly, and I bwouldn’t /bhave woken up this soon. If you don’t believe me, ask Anna.”

    Andrew turned to Anna, who quickly said, “Don’t get me wrong. I wanted to save you, but I didn’t know what to do. I went to Monroe for help, but couldn’t just ask him for the money. He would think I was using him.”

    Max said, “If Ste were you, she would have ispoken /iup. She’s always put the family first. Anna, I know you didn’t want to help us. Just drop the bact/bb./b”

    Andrew stared at Anna for a moment, then turned to Max. “One fayor from Ste and suddenly she’s the good guy in your eyes, huh?”

    “You don’t get me,” Max said.

    Andrew was stunned by Max’s words.

    Max said, “I’ve been going over a lot of thingstely. We’ve been letting Anna twist the truth for years, making Ste look bad without knowing the truth. We haven’t been thinking straight for a long time..

    “I truly regret not realizing it back then. Now I want to mend my rtionship with Ste, but it’s already toote.”

    Anna’s face soured. What she had feared had finally happened. She thought, ‘Why would Max think so highly of Ste? He never should have bwoken /bbup/b. bIt /bwould have been better if he had just stayed dead.“/

    Max said, “Don’t hurt Ste anymore. Now that I’m awake, I won’t allow anyone to harm herb.” /b

    Andrew stared at him in disbelief. “Are you going to protect herb?/b”

    Max nodded. “Yeah, I’ve figured it out. I’ve been living for myself this whole time and never gave ba /bdamn about bSte/bb. /bbFrom /bnow bon/bb, /bbI’m /bblooking /bbout /bbfor /bher. If you go after her, you bgo /bagainst me.

    14:12 bSat/b, 16 bAug /b

    With that, Max picked up his belongings and started toward the door.

    “Stop,” Andrew suddenly shouted.

    Max stopped, standing with his back to Andrew and Anna.

    Andrew strode up to face Max. “What do you mean by that? Are you leaving us?”

    Max turned to them. “We’re not on the same page. If you still can’t figure out what you’ve done wrong, then from today, we’re done.”

    Andrew pped Max across the face, furious. Max red back, just as angry.

    “Max, I’m your father. How can you say something like that to me?” Andrew shouted.

    Max said, “Ste is your daughter. Why did she have to endure all that? If she hadn’t been strong and clever enough, she would have died in Middle South Yaria, or maybe worse.”

    Max’s voice broke with grief. “Dad, all this happened because you yed favorites. The happy family we once had has fallen apart. Grandma is bdead/bb, /bband /bMom is homeless. Ste is in charge of thepany, but she’s not doing well.

    “Why can’t you admit you’re wrong? You’ve always said family is what matters most. However, all you see is Ste’s revenge, but you never own up to the harm you and Anna caused.”

    Before he could finish, another p struck him. Andrew said, “That’s ridiculous. Max, has Ste brainwashed you? iYou /ishould know what you’re doing

    That p was the final straw for Max. He was totally disappointed in Andrew as he turned to him.

    Andrew could clearly sense something off, and he got a bit flustered. “What now?”

    Max said, “I’ll say this onest time. iSince /iyou refuse to ilisten/i, then from now on, I’m on Ste’s side. I know she won’t forgive me, but that’s okay. I’ll make it up to her. I won’t go against my conscience anymore.”

    After saying that, Max took his things and walked out slowly.

    AD