Max stood up and walk close to her

Amara regarded him with a puzzled expression, her mind racing with questions. *Why did he respond like that?* Max caught her gaze and smiled, an unexpected warmth in his eyes.

"Amara, do you know the rumor about me and my father?" he asked suddenly.

She remained silent, her heart fluttering. Of course, she had heard the whispers, but she chose not to voice them.

"As you've heard, it's about me coming here. They say that when my father remarried, he forgot me, that he focused solely on his new family and tried to get rid of me by sending me away. Here " He chuckled lightly, but there was an edge to his laughter. "But the truth is, I came here by choice. My father actually tried to bring me back home—he made multiple attempts."

He turned to her, his smile softening. "But you already know this, don't you?"

Amara met his gaze, confusion swirling in her mind. *I hope he is drunk?*

"Sir, what do you mean?" Amara asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"I'm saying, Amara, why are you lying?" Max replied, his blue eyes piercing through her defenses.

"What? Sir, I'm not lying," she said, striving to maintain a calm demeanor, but it felt futile against the certainty in his gaze. Max was all too aware of her family's situation.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Amara, the rumor about you coming here on purpose—that you're just a spoiled girl making your family angry—I already know it's fabricated.and truth , It's made by you. We've known each other long enough for me to see the truth. I've witnessed the way they treat you, the abuse, the insults. And that's just what I can see; I can only imagine the things you've kept hidden."

Amara stared at him in silence, realizing there was no point in hiding the truth any longer.

"Amara, why are you leaving?" he pressed again, his voice steady but filled with concern.

"I'm going to be engaged to Lord Len, I have to go." she replied, the words feeling heavy. She didn't want to admit it, especially not to the one she loved, but she knew it was her reality. Max's face suddenly changed, his smirk fading as his expression hardened. His playful demeanor disappeared in an instant "Len? Lord Len? Are you being forced? How ? He is looks like 100"

"He's not that old," she said in a calm voice, trying to steady her emotions.

Max raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Old enough—he's like 40 or more," he retorted.

"And I'm 20! I don't see your point," she replied, her resolve hardening. She respected Lord Len; he had always treated her kindly. Even though this engagement was forced by her family, she found some comfort in the idea of marrying him.

"But you don't even like him. If your family is forcing you, you know you can always come here, right?" Max insisted, stepping closer, his gaze intense.

Amara held her ground, refusing to waver. "So what, sir? He's a good match for me. I respect him. He is a really good person," she replied, striving to keep her voice steady.

Max searched her face, his frustration evident. "Respect isn't love, Amara," he said

" And?" She said.

"Don't merry him , i,you don't even love him," he repeated, leaning in even more, their faces just inches apart.

"I do respect him, and I think he'll be good to me," she said, struggling to maintain her composure.

"I told you no! I refuse this marriage!"

"I don't think you have authority over this" ?" Amara said.

"He's old enough to be your father, Amara!"

"I don't think I have that kind of choice," she said, her voice quieter but firm. "I have to marry someone eventually, and Lord Len is the best choice for me."

"No, no," Max shook his head in frustration. "You don't love him!"

Amara met his gaze without hesitation. "Yes, I don't love him. But I can build a family with him."

"But you love me, you can't create family if you love someone else " Max said, his voice low as he closed the distance between them. Amara could feel his breath.