“Brody!” The crowd jumped in shock and anger when Brody was sent flying by Maximus’ punch. Never had they imagined Maximus to wield such power after his core was destroyed.
“H-how dare you hit me?” Brody said spitefully, pressing against his chest, which was throbbing with excruciating pain. The audacity of someone excommunicated, a good-for-nothing to lay a finger on him!
“So what? You should thank the heavens that I didn’t take your life.” Maximus went up and took the hand of the lady in white. He soothed her affectionately, “Caitlyn, don’t you worry. I won’t let anyone bully you when I’m around. I’ll protect you even if I have to risk my life!”
“M-Max, what are you doing?” Her expression fell as she slowly stumbled away from him.
“Caitlyn, I know you’ve been through a lot. I’ll be good to you. Let’s run away, shall we? We can leave Balerno for a place where no one knows us. How does that sound?” He looked at her with anticipation. Although he was no match for Luther, he could elope to a place far from danger and trouble with his lover.
“Max, are you crazy? I’m Luther’s woman now.” Caitlyn frowned at his words.
“I know you were forced into it. You don’t like him at all, do you? Just give me a nod, and I’ll immediately take you with me!” His gentle gaze caressed her face.
“No, I won’t!” She gave her an adamant shake of the head.
“Caitlyn, are you in a difficult situation? Fret not. I will do my best to get you out of any trouble!” Maximus was earnest.
“Let go of me!” She shook off his grip and scolded him, “Max, do you still not get it? I have never loved you at all! Don’t be delusional!”
That caught him by surprise, and his eyes widened in disbelief. “W-what did you say?”
“Max, at this point, I’ll just tell you the truth.” She inhaled deeply and explained without much emotion, “I had only agreed to the engagement because of your status. I need someone to protect me as a defenseless woman in the martial arts field You were my best choice back then.”
“That’s… That’s impossible! You told me you loved me and you’d marry me! Were you lying to me all along when you made those eternal vows?” A hint of resentment and rage crept into his reddened eyes.
“Max, you’re cute.” She shook her head with a scoff. “Haven’t you realized I was only into you because of your influence and potential? You were Maximus Kane, a fighter with great prowess and the most remarkable disciple of our generation. That was why I took a liking to you. But look at you now. You have been excommunicated and even had your powers destroyed by Luther. You’re no different than a pauper, so why do you think you’re a match for me? Did you really believe I’d put up with a life of suffering with you? Dream on!”
That was a huge blow for Maximus, whose face was grim when he heard her cruel confession. He did not expect those remarks from his lover, not even in his wildest dreams. At first, he thought Caitlyn was forced to be with Luther, but it turned out that she willingly went along with it. At the
end of the day, he made a joke out of himself. All his life, he had been focused on achieving excellence in swordsmanship and lived a life free of other desires. The only time he fell for a woman, he ended up in such misery. What a joke!
He slumped on the floor in a daze. In that instance, he seemed to have lost his faith and hope, turning into an empty shell of himself. Faith was the main reason he could rejuvenate his core in record time. And he held on fast to the faith that he would rescue Caitlyn. Now that he had lost it, he appeared disoriented and helpless.
“Fuck you! How dare you punch me? I’ll slash you! Brody cackled when he saw the soulless Maximus and swung his sword at the man.
