Early morning, Emma slipped into the kitchen with her hair up in a bun and her shoulders relaxed.

She was rummaging through the fridge when she heard the first footsteps.

Knowing well who that was.

Strangely, this time her spine didn't shudder with dread nor did fear strike her.

"The last time I saw you. .bent over. . How I missed you." He eyes flared up widely seeing her stand up to her full height.

Emma's eyes were void of any emotion which did make him frown.

He was used to her being shell shocked at seeing him. He lived on her fear. She always looked so scared and . .drenched in fear but now. .

Emma crossed her arms.

"You had Diana pregnant?" She asked in a casual voice.

The man shrugged his shoulders in a careless manner.

"Do you want to be at her place perhaps?" His slimy voice rolled off on her and she nearly shuddered in disgust.

"You think so highly of yourself." Emma smiled at him and again he frowned.

Taking a step towards her, he stopped.

Noticing how she didn't step back.

She kept looking at him dead in the eyes.

"Look at you trying to be a tigress." He laughed slightly , knowing well she had no place to head to or run to. The last time he almost had her and this time he wouldn't budge until. .

"I'm not trying. I'm."

Her confidence did shock him a little. .and the shock turned into hot headed annoyance. He had to show Emma her place! Had to see her begging him! Jake moved towards her , his stance threatening —she was just one step away from him—he outstretched his hand to grab at her and—

Jake was whirled around!

His mouth opened into an O at the sudden advance and he wasn't given much time to register what just happened.

A powerful punch collided with the bridge of his nose.

The crack of the bone making her wince.

Blood sputtered out of his nose as he shrieked in pain , his arms hitting around wildly.

A powerful kick landed on his leg , a crunch like sound resonating in the kitchen as Jake collapsed to the floor. . gasping loudly.

His blood rapidly colored the marble floor.

He howled in pain when the sharp edge of the shoe got the side of face , whirling it around . .a deep gash in his skin. All he could hear was a ringing sensation in his ear.

His lips got busted and his left eye swollen.

"Please. . please. ." He begged blindly to the aggressor.

Emma couldn't help but get flashbacks of how she would beg him. If he had been begging her, maybe she would let him go. .

But the man didn't show Jake any mercy.

Not when Emma said.

Not when Diana asked.

He kept going on and on until the face of Jake got unrecognizable. Until he fell unconscious.

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He saw her eyes recoil.

Saw the will in her eyes shatter.

Why the hell did it matter?!

Why did it hurt seeing her so. . forlorn. He wanted to pull her at himself and push her too. Save her and break her too. .what was wrong with him?

Frustrated with the battle raging in him, he pushed a hand in his hair. . .his whole heart enveloped in shadows.

"So this is it. ." She trailed off, her eyes glassy , a far away look on her face.

He shook his head, disgusted at her.

"This would never be it if you had stayed loy—" he cut off. Not even able to say the word. Such sacred word shouldn't be uttered in her presence!

Brown eyes snapped back on him.

"If I had stayed what?" She asked in a low voice.

Maximus smiled , a slow burning smile.

"It doesn't matter now." He said briskly. Shrugging her eyes off. He had to leave before he did something stupid!

Her heart cracked at seeing him turn around, giving her his broad back and—

She moved, slipping her hand in his larger one.

Maximus froze.

"If you didn't tell me what's in your heart , I won't tell you what's in mine." Her voice had a silent plea to it. . as if she was on the verge of losing herself.

She felt fragile.

One word from him could make or break her universe.

His stoic silence grated on her nerves.

"You have to tell me . .you have to. My life depends on your answer—"

Emma gasped when he snatched his hand back and with a furious growl turned at her. His eyes on fire, his nostrils flaring, his heart beating wild. .

"Wrong! You don't depend on me! You depend on another! Your being depends on Jake!! Yes! I know!! You heard me?! I know of you and Jake! Such filth. . how could you?" He accused. "What is your plan? Your master plan?!!! Let me clear one thing . I'll not allow anyone to hurt my sister. Certainly not you." His venomous voice killed her insides.

He could see she was paling rapidly. The once flushed complexion was deathly pale now. .her pupils had dilated . .her lips had turned dry at seeing the obvious hate in his eyes.

Slowly, she shook her head. .not at all believing his words.

"I saw you in his arms." He added an insult to the injury.

"No. .no. ." She breathed out.

His eyes flashed dangerously.

Why was she acting so innocent?!

"Fuck your lies , Emma. Fuck you. " He exhaled harshly.

Emma could feel the height of helpless she was on at. It was a heartbreaking moment where you want to talk but you don't know how to start. .how to fix . .how to . .

A sob broke out from her mouth and he sighed. Watching her shoulders shake and seeing her eyes looking up at him in desperation. Helplessly. .

"I don't want this. I don't want any of this. I had had enough of this—"

She cut him off.

"Jake is my ex step father! He had been sexually harassing me! It was never me! It can never be me! I love you, Maximus! " Her anguish filled the while room as the roof literally fell on top of his head.

"What?"

Emma nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I escaped my house to find a job and . .landed here. I don't know how he found me and met Diana. ."

"What the fuck. ." He looked like a statue who couldn't breath. "What the fuck. .she's pregnant."

Emma's stumbled back.

In shock and a sudden grief.

He glanced at her. .the shadows of doubts clearing from his green eyes but he had to confirm . Be damn sure about her confession. .and his heart stepped up as in alibi for her.

She was the truth.

But if she was the truth then she had to prove it too. Truth was baseless without proof.

If Jake was what she actually said. .he had to save his sister.

He had to save his wife.

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