Bitterly Sweetly (Completed)

Chapter Six : Memories And An Epiphany

It was easy, his choice—if he had to choose between peace and the painful past.

He'd come back to Asthel to meet his family, and take his long-due revenge on that vile woman. Now that both of his purposes were complete, he was soon to leave this city of pain and heartbreak. The difficult thing, however, would be to break this news to his father, and convince him about his decision, that too without disclosing the real reason behind it. Wilders and Haydens were close, despite their very different financial states.

Sophia's grandfather, Albert Hayden, was Robert's godfather and once a very successful lawyer. The problem was Haydens weren't blessed with an already built, great family fortune like Wilders. So while Robert founded a law firm at some point and with perfect ease, Albert Hayden was still working hard to save for the future.

Max didn't know much more than that but he guessed Albert had almost all his money used up behind that antique house of his.

And none were aware of the bad blood between Max and Sophia, which should be kept just like that. It was better this way, Max decided.

For a brief second, Max closed his eyes and the very same image displayed.

Sophia's tear-filled eyes full of pain had imprinted permanently at the forefront of his mind. He couldn't see past them and couldn't think past how miserable he felt every time he thought of last night and of how Sophia had run away crying.

"Max!"

An angry male voice made Max turn around to see Neil standing there in the doorway. Max noticed how pissed off he looked.

There are many disadvantages alongside the positive aspects when so many people live under the same roof.

But maybe his father had too much of a kind heart to overlook all those disadvantages. Robert Wilder was at the end of the day a lonely man after all—had been in this lonely state ever since divorcing his wife, Max's mother, when Max was about ten.

Max grew up under Robert's custody, visiting his mother twice every year over at South-hills. In the meantime, Max's uncle passed away, leaving two orphan sons and a widow behind. Robert took it upon himself to take responsibility for the entire family. Nolan, Neil, and their mother Katherine since then on had been staying in Robert's mansion. Even Nolan's wife Lolo moved in there right after their honeymoon.

Max let out a long sigh.

It was bit crazy with such a big family in the house. This mansion was filled with a lot of things for him—childhood memories, love, joy, separation, loneliness, suffocation, and most of all drama.

Schooling his expression and turning on a blank look Max raised his eyebrows questioningly at Neil.

"What is it, Neil?" Max asked. "You look quite shaken up."

"Seriously, Max! After what you and your admirers did to Sophia last night, you expect me to not be shaken up?" Neil looked disbelievingly at Max. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you? Why did you do that to Sophia?"

"So, you've heard," Max's voice was nonchalant.

It was his good fortune that his lifesaver of a father had sent Neil for an urgent meeting with one of their most important clients right before things were spicing up at the party. Otherwise, Max was sure that Neil would have made it difficult last night for his plan to see success.

Neil grunted. "The way she'd been insulted in the party, it's the top gossip on everyone's mouth now. I can't believe you've done this to her, Max."

Max felt fury bubble up in his blood, through gritted teeth he bit out, "Stay out of it, Neil. She got what she deserved."