When His Love Changed,He Finally Regretted It
Ashley fell in love with her stepbrother and Max loved her just the same.
On the night of their tenth anniversary, after they finished their date at the hotel, Max's phone buzzed against the table.
A message popped up on the screen. [Bad boy, didn’t you say you’d always pick up my calls right away?]—And there, staring back at her as a profile banner, was a photo of Max and Lili, locked in an intimate kiss.
Just like that, a storm churned inside Ashley.
Ashley barely had time to read more before Max returned, the scent of smoke lingering on him.
She caught his gaze, then tossed the phone back to him, forcing her voice to stay steady. "So, it’s true? You have a new girlfriend?"
Max paused for a beat before narrowing his eyes, lips curving into a lazy smirk. His tone was casual, almost indifferent.
"Yeah."
"Is this just another distraction, or—"
Before she could finish, Max cut her off. "No. This time, it’s real."
A cold weight settled in her chest, spreading through Ashley's limbs.
Later,Ashley didn’t cry or argue with him—she just walked away, leaving their home and Max behind for good.
What she never expected was that once she was gone, Max would be the one left in tears.
——
In the bathtub, Ashley and Max were wrapped around each other, bodies pressed close as warm water rippled and spilled over the edge onto the floor.
Ashley was immersed in the romance of the moment.
Every place Max had touched were burning with want.
He grabbed her waist and whispered, "Ash, you want me too, don’t you?"
Soon, there was the sound of splashing water.
...
Half an hour later, Steam curled in the air as Max took a quick rinse. Stepping onto the terrace, he lit a cigarette, his gaze fixed on the city skyline.
By then, His phone buzzed against the table.
Ashley reached for her own phone and noticed a missed NosChat call from Lili. Her brows knitted slightly.
When the call finally cut off, she hesitated before tapping into Lili’s social feed. Just like that, it was as if she had opened Pandora’s box. A storm churned inside her.
Her timeline was flooded with Lili’s love-filled posts—And there, staring back at her as a profile banner, was a photo of Max and Lili, locked in an intimate kiss.
A message popped up on the screen. [Bad boy, didn’t you say you’d always pick up my calls right away?]
Ashley barely had time to read more before Max returned, the scent of smoke lingering on him.
She caught his gaze, then tossed the phone back to him, forcing her voice to stay steady. "So, it’s true? You have a new girlfriend?"
Max paused for a beat before narrowing his eyes, lips curving into a lazy smirk. His tone was casual, almost indifferent.
"Yeah."
"Is this just another distraction, or—"
Before she could finish, Max cut her off. "No. This time, it’s real."
A cold weight settled in her chest, spreading through her limbs. "So that’s it, then."
Max exhaled slowly. "I was hoping we could at least have one last good night together. But since you saw Lili’s message…"
His tone was almost teasing. "Might as well be honest. No point dragging it out."
Ashley’s eyes swept over the lavish suite, roses covering every surface. For a fleeting moment, she had believed—wanted to believe—that on this Valentine’s night, Max had finally chosen her.
To be honest, this moment had been inevitable. Her voice was quiet when she finally spoke.
"After all these years… what am I to you?"
"Was I just a convenient body warmer to you?"
Ashley kept her head down, nails digging into her palm. It took her a moment to force out the words, barely above a whisper.
Max didn’t even look up. He was too busy texting, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. And maybe that was an answer enough.
After all, how easily he had sentenced their ten years together to death with just a few careless words.
"Did you think I was just looking for a fake girlfriend to fool my grandfather?"
"At first, yeah. But after spending time with Lili, I finally understand what love really is."
"Whatever this was between us... I’m done with it."
"The thought of continuing our secret relationship like this? It’s suffocating. We’re better off as siblings."
A NosChat notification chimed. Max slipped on his shirt, still typing with one hand. His gaze flicked toward Ashley, her face eerily still. His brows knit together for a split second—then smoothed over just as quickly.
"Lili’s waiting. I was going to spend Valentine’s with you, but clearly, you’re not in the mood anymore. I’ll get going."
Ashley barely registered the sound of the door clicking shut.
Her vision blurred, a thin veil of tears forming. She stared at the empty space where he had just stood, the weight in her chest growing heavier.
The pill under her tongue didn’t taste so bitter anymore.
At least this was better. At least she hadn’t cried in front of him. That would have been the final humiliation.
Ashley told herself to let it go—to treat this like any normal breakup, to walk away with dignity. But the more she tried to convince herself, the harder the tears came.
Ashley stumbled into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. She forced a smile at her reflection, but all she managed was a bitter, twisted mockery of one.
Siblings. Could they really go back to being siblings?
The thought alone drained the strength from her. She slid to the floor, knees drawn to her chest, as memories came flooding back.
She was sixteen when it all started.
Max had been the one to close the distance, always finding her at school, always pulling her into his orbit until she finally gave in.
They were young. Reckless. In love. And then, just like that, it was over.
Ashley never imagined that her mother’s new husband would turn out to be Juan Laguna, Max’s father.
Overnight, they went from lovers to something they weren’t allowed to be. And in the aftermath, nothing between them felt the same.
Then came the accident. A skiing trip gone wrong. A ruptured kidney. A coma. Suddenly, the boy she had been forcing herself to forget was slipping away entirely.
The doctors told her to prepare for the worst—to accept that Max might never wake up. That was the moment she stopped pretending.
She loved him. She had always loved him. But all she could do was sit by his bedside, day after day, holding his hand—nothing more than the devoted little sister she was supposed to be.
Back then, she visited the hospital every day, telling Max about school, about the world outside—anything to fill the silence, anything to make it feel like he was still with her.
Then one night, when the adults had all left, she finally broke down.
Staring at his motionless body, her chest tightened with helplessness. No matter how much she talked, he never stirred. The weight of it all crashed down on her and she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
That was when she felt it.
A faint twitch of his fingers. Then, slowly, weakly, he curled them around hers.
Max was waking up.
“…So loud, Ash.” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “I thought I was gonna die.”
Her breath caught. She jerked back, trying to pull her hand free to call for help, but Max tightened his grip, holding on with what little strength he had.
“Ash… just for a little while, stay with me.”
His eyes—still heavy with exhaustion—held something raw, something vulnerable.
She should have said no. But she didn’t want to let go either.
So she stayed.
That night changed everything. Facing death made them realize just how much they meant to each other. Their love burned even brighter, even hotter.
But they were young. Too young to know how to tell their parents. Afraid of being torn apart, they kept their relationship a secret.
By nineteen, they were siblings in name—lovers in the dark.
By twenty, Max promised that once he had the power to stand on his own, he would make their love known.
But by twenty-seven, when he had finally made it, when nothing stood in his way anymore—he gave her nothing but indifference.
All these years, she had followed in his footsteps, hoping that when the day finally came—when they could be together openly—the world would look at them and say, they were meant to be.
But now, none of it mattered. She couldn’t pretend to be his sister. And she never wanted to see him again.
Without hesitation, Ashley opened her laptop, pulled up her email and filled out the application for a transfer to the overseas branch.
Putting an ocean between them was the only choice she had left.
A few days later, Ashley stepped into Mr. Woodman’s office for a casual chat.
“I have to admit, I’m curious—what made you decide to take the overseas position?”
“You’re already a private banking president and at your age, that’s almost unheard of. Young people these days… your ambition is something else. Seems like even this level of success isn’t enough for you.”
“Your boyfriend’s okay with long distance? No plans to settle down?”
“I’m at a turning point in my career. That’s not something I want to think about right now.”
Ashley dodged the question with an easy excuse, taking a slow sip of coffee to mask the turbulence inside her.
Mr. Woodman, having spent years in the industry, had always admired women who fought their way to the top. He had seen too many give up their careers to focus on family and every time, it felt like a waste.
Ashley saw the pride and admiration in her former boss’s eyes and for a brief moment, guilt flickered through her. She lowered her gaze, pushing down the emotions threatening to surface.
“When will your transfer be finalized?”
“In about twenty days.” She forced a small smile, but behind her back, her fingers trembled.
Twenty more days. Then she’d be in Puerto Vendaval, far away from Max.
Chapter 2
As she waited for the elevator, her eyes unintentionally caught a glimpse of Max. Her breath hitched. Without hesitation, she stepped inside, pressing the button, willing the doors to close faster.
Just as they were about to shut, a strong, veined hand slid between them.
Max stepped in, his expression cold, his voice even colder. “You see me and don’t even say hello?” She kept her face unreadable. “Is this how your bank treats high-net-worth clients?”
It was just the two of them. She glanced at the security camera in the corner, then spoke evenly.
“Mr. Laguna.”
Max stilled for half a second before a slow, mocking smile tugged at his lips. “Ash, shouldn’t you be calling me 'big brother'?”
Hearing Max emphasizing their sibling-relationship, a tightness clenched in Ashley’s chest, the dull ache spreading through her like a slow-burning ember.
Her body trembled slightly, but she still gave him what he wanted.
“…Big brother.”
The moment the word left her lips, Max’s expression shifted—his brows drew together, the coldness in his eyes intensifying.
She didn’t understand what had set him off this time, but she had always been good at reading him. And right now, in her own workplace, she had no intention of letting things escalate. So, she took a steady breath and softened her tone.
“Are you here to discuss a corporate loan?”
Before he could answer, the elevator doors slid open on the fifth floor. Without warning, Max grabbed her wrist and pulled her out.
“What are you doing?” she asked, startled.
“Liliana has an interview here today,” he said, voice calm and casual. “She’s young, it’s her first time—she’s a little nervous.”
“I was in the area, so I came to pick her up.”
Then, with effortless ease, he added, “Since you’re here too, why not say hello to your future sister-in-law?”
At the mention of Liliana, the tension in his face eased, his brow no longer furrowed.
Ashley’s lashes flickered.
In the area?
Max’s company was based in the high-tech district and right now, they were in the middle of a critical development phase for their enterprise AI model. Yet instead of staying on-site to oversee operations, he had crossed two districts just to pick someone up—dismissing it casually as on the way.
For a brief moment, Ashley felt lost.
What was I to him?
She had worked tirelessly for years, rising through the ranks. Even last year, when she was promoted to Private Banking Director—a rare achievement for someone in their twenties—Max had been too busy with work to celebrate with her in private.
A wry smile tugged at her lips.
Looking back, maybe he had stopped loving her long before now.
And yet, she had still been foolish enough to hold on, to believe there was still a future for them.
What an idiot.
Her thoughts scattered as the door to the interview room swung open.
A young woman stepped out, her head hanging low. But the second she spotted Max, her entire demeanor shifted—her posture straightened, her eyes lit up and a radiant smile spread across her face.
Ashley recognized her instantly.
Liliana Palacio.
She had seen this girl’s face just the other night—on Max’s social media. In person, she was exactly as she appeared in the photos: fresh-faced, charming and effortlessly sweet.
With a few quick steps, Liliana crossed the room and slipped into Max’s embrace, her voice tinged with frustration as she complained about her interview.
“I totally bombed it. There’s no way I got the job.”
Max's lips curved into a soft smile as he leaned down, wrapping an arm around Liliana. His voice was low and reassuring as he murmured in her ear, "Oh yeah? Funny, I had a completely different feeling."
The tenderness in his tone sent a sharp pang through Ashley’s chest. So this was how gentle he could be—with someone else.
Ashley thought back to their school days. Back then, Max had never spared other girls a second glance. Even after they started working, when he pretended to date other women just to keep his family off his back, he had always kept his distance.
But now… now that it was truly over, everything was different.
For the first time, Ashley saw it clearly—there was no going back.
She turned to leave, but a sudden wave of dizziness hit her and before she could steady herself, her body instinctively leaned toward Max.
He stepped away.
She fell hard onto the floor.
Stunned, she looked up—just in time to catch the fleeting flicker of displeasure on Liliana’s face and the unmistakable irritation in Max’s eyes.
And in that instant, she understood.
He thought she did it on purpose.
“Oops, my bad, little sister. Didn’t see that coming." Max crouched down as if to help her up—only for a smirk to tug at his lips.
“What’s this? A few days apart and you've already picked up new tricks to throw yourself at me?”
Max’s grip tightened around Ashley’s arm as he yanked her to her feet, his gaze sharp with warning. Meanwhile, the moment Liliana heard Ashley was his sister, the wariness in her eyes faded.
With the interview over, Max wasted no time leaving with Liliana.
Minutes later, Ashley’s phone buzzed with two notifications.
One was a friend request from Liliana.
The other—a message from Max.
[Get a grip. Stop crossing the line.]
[If you pull another stunt like that in front of Liana, it won’t just be a simple fall next time.]
Ashley’s fingers trembled as she stared at the screen.
So this was how little he thought of her. She wanted to tell him he was wrong, that she wasn’t putting on an act, that she had already given up on him.
But Ashley hesitated.
Would he even believe her? Or would he see it as yet another attempt to hold onto something that was already gone?
Her grip on the phone tightened before she finally turned off the screen.
There was nothing left to say. Her actions would speak for themselves. She would be gone soon—out of his sight, out of his life.
Chapter 3
Slipping a hand into her pocket, Ashley pulled out a familiar bottle of paroxetine, rolling it absently between her fingers.
She let out a quiet, bitter laugh. "Guess quitting was never an option."
Unspoken emotions, the weight of passing years and Max’s constant ambiguity had slowly chipped away at Ashley’s confidence in their relationship. Yet, despite everything, she couldn’t bring herself to let go.
The emotions she buried kept piling up, suffocating her, until the anxiety she once dismissed turned into something far worse.
At first, it was just heart palpitations and dizziness. Then, it escalated—shortness of breath, an invisible weight pressing down on her chest, making it harder and harder to breathe.
She never told Max. She didn’t want his concern. And now, nothing he did would matter anymore.
She had waited—from seventeen to twenty-seven—only to arrive at the inevitable ending.
Stripped of love’s illusions, she saw Max for who he truly was—cold, detached, unmovable. She refused to use her illness to earn even a shred of pity.
After finishing up her work at the branch, Ashley picked up her newly issued passport and work visa before heading back to The Laguna Family Estate. She wanted to spend some time with her mother before she left.
Once she explained her decision, she quietly went upstairs to pack.
She didn’t expect to find Max there.
Leaning against the doorframe, he watched her, his expression unreadable. "Why are you back?"
"Let me guess—you only came back tonight because you knew Liliana would be here." Max’s voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "What’s wrong? Still not over me, little sister?"
Ashley’s hands paused mid-fold, but she kept her composure and replied evenly.
"I took some time off. I’ll be staying here for a few days. Just so you know, I had no idea Liliana was coming. But don’t worry—I won’t be in your way."
Max loosened his tie, irritation flickering in his gaze.
"You’d better not." He was about to say more when his phone rang.
"You’re here? I’ll come down and get you." His voice softened instantly, warm and gentle—a stark contrast to how he had spoken just moments ago.
Not that it mattered anymore.
Ashley watched him disappear down the hall before quietly closing her door. She picked up her phone, idly scrolling through company messages when a notification from Liliana’s social feed caught her eye.
[Question: What should I bring when meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time?]
Attached was a photo—two silhouettes leaning close together, radiating warmth and intimacy.
What really caught Ashley’s attention was Max’s comment beneath it.
[Just bring yourself and be good.]
Ashley smirked to herself. No wonder Max had said those things earlier. Without much more thought, she tapped the like button on Liliana’s post and returned to packing.
When Juan arrived, the family gathered for dinner. Liliana, visibly tense, sat stiffly in her chair. She clearly hadn’t expected Max’s father to be such a towering political figure.
Noticing her nerves, Max took control of the conversation, effortlessly easing the tension. His teasing remarks made Liliana giggle and soon enough, she relaxed, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm with a bright smile.
With Max leading the way, no one questioned their relationship or made things difficult. The meal went on smoothly.
Across from them, Ashley remained quiet, idly picking at her food, her long lashes casting delicate shadows over her cheeks.
This—this was how a normal couple acted. Comfortable. Natural. Unlike her and Max, who had spent years in this house carefully minding their every move, terrified of crossing an invisible line.
She lifted her gaze slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Maybe this twisted love ending was a relief.
Juan, in rare high spirits, suggested a toast.
Ashley offered to grab the wine and to her surprise, Liliana quickly volunteered to go with her. Unable to refuse, she led the way.
The moment they were alone, Liliana’s cheerful mask slipped.
"So… dating your stepbrother—was it exciting?"
Chapter 4
"Are you even aware of how ridiculous you look? The way you eat, all dramatic—can you cut it out? You're seriously making me nauseous."
Ashley’s expression darkened. She turned to Liliana, her gaze sharp and unforgiving.
"You should be grateful you’re dealing with the current version of me—I used to have a much worse temper."
"And what exactly are you so smug about, Liliana? You just got lucky. Luck doesn’t give you the right to stand on some moral high ground and judge me."
Ashley let out a cold laugh. Luck? No—Liliana simply never had to experience the spiral from a normal relationship into a tangled mess of ethics and betrayal.
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Liliana’s anger flared.
Ashley wasn’t even ashamed—if anything, she seemed almost amused.
"I mean, someone like you—a no-name degree, an average family with no resources. Your résumé should’ve been tossed out in the first round."
"But Max took a liking to you, so people made exceptions for him. Be real—by any standard, you don’t even make the cut. I honestly have no idea what he sees in you."
The words were casual, almost offhanded, but they sent a chill down Liliana’s spine.
Ashley's gaze was ice-cold. With just a few words, she had completely stripped Liliana of any sense of worth.
Liliana couldn't understand—she was supposed to have the upper hand. She was the one on the moral high ground. So why did it feel like she was being utterly crushed by the woman in front of her?
Ashley stepped closer, her shadow stretching over Liliana like a suffocating weight. The sheer pressure made her feel as if she were being hunted, trapped with no way out.
She wanted to step back, to run—but her legs refused to move. Fear gripped her so tightly that they buckled beneath her and she collapsed onto her knees.
The wine glass slipped from her hand, crashing against the floor. The sharp crack of shattering glass cut through the tense silence.
Hearing the commotion, Max rushed over. The moment he saw Liliana on the ground, his expression darkened. Without hesitation, he strode toward her. As he passed Ashley, he slammed his shoulder into hers with enough force to knock her back.
She staggered, her foot landing squarely on the jagged shards of glass.
"Liana, are you okay?"
His voice was filled with worry as he helped her up. But almost immediately, his concern turned to fury.
"Ashley, Lili came here just to grab some wine. Is this how you treat your guests—cornering them when no one's around?"
Ashley's chest tightened. She glanced down at her foot, where crimson was beginning to seep through the fabric of her slipper.
When she finally lifted her gaze to meet Max’s, there was something almost imperceptible in her expression—disappointment.
"Is that really how you see me?" Ashley's voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "Liliana, why don’t you tell Max what you just said? I’m sure he’d love to hear it."
Liliana’s eyes flickered toward the security camera in the corner. Her breath hitched. Then, almost frantically, she shook her head.
"No—Maxie, I fell on my own. It had nothing to do with Ash. We were just… talking."
She forced a smile, but the way her lips trembled and the tears welling in her eyes only made her lie more obvious. Max's chest tightened at the sight. Gently, he pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the wine stains on her dress, his touch careful, protective.
Then, he turned to Ashley with a cold, cutting glare—only to falter.
Her face was deathly pale. His gaze dropped to the floor and his stomach tensed when he saw the slow spread of crimson pooling beneath her foot.
"Your foot..."
Instinctively, he moved toward her, but before he could take another step, Liliana clutched his sleeve, her voice trembling.
"Maxie… my leg hurts. I just want to go home. Will you take me?"
He hesitated, his jaw tightening, but only for a second. Without another word, he swept Liliana into his arms.
"You’re not going home—I’m taking you to the hospital."
As Max carried her away, Liliana’s lips curved ever so slightly. She turned her head just enough to catch Ashley’s eye, her expression soft—but her gaze victorious.
After they left, Ashley remained where she was, staring at the mix of blood and wine seeping into the floor. A dull ache tightened in her chest and for some reason, her nose stung, as if she were on the verge of tears.
She glanced at her reflection in the glass wall and let out a quiet, mocking laugh.
When it came to choosing between her and Liliana, Max hadn’t even hesitated.
A man’s love—or lack of it—was always painfully obvious.
The pain in her foot grew sharper, pulsing with every beat of her heart. With the housekeeper’s help, she made her way upstairs, unsteady but composed. She refused to go to the hospital—she simply cleaned the wound, applied some ointment and wrapped it up. The bleeding stopped, but the dull sting lingered.
That night, sleep was impossible. No matter how she turned, the discomfort kept her awake. Frustrated, she reached for a book from the shelf, hoping for a distraction.
As she flipped it open, something slipped out from between the pages—a faded brown envelope. She was about to toss it aside when a cream-colored wedding invitation slid to the floor.
Her fingers trembled as she picked it up and unfolded it.
‘Groom: Max Laguna | Bride: Ashley Vera’.
The elegant calligraphy seemed to mock her. She ran her fingers over the embossed gold lettering and a deep, aching pressure settled in her chest.
Eighteen. The age of reckless, all-consuming love.
At eighteen, marrying Max had been Ashley’s dream. She had spent years watching invitation after invitation being sent out for grand weddings at the backyard of the Laguna Family Estate. Sometimes, she had even let herself imagine—what kind of invitation would she send when it was finally her turn?
Max had guessed what she wanted, so he secretly bought the wedding invitation and carefully wrote their names on it.
When she saw it, her heart melted. She reached for it, but Max teasingly held it just out of reach, lifting his arm to keep it away from her.
"If you can grab it, we’ll get married."
He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, his ears turning red as he smiled—youthful, earnest and full of promise.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he hid it away. She never saw the invitation again.
"So this is where it’s been all along..."
The wedding invitation still looked as pristine as the day he had bought it. But now, holding it again, she felt nothing but a hollow ache.
She murmured, "If I had found it sooner… would things have been different?"
The thought barely had time to take root before she shook it off. It was foolish. Pointless.
With a quiet sigh, Ashley hopped on one leg to her desk, picked up a utility knife and carefully sliced through their names.
This was how it should be. Those names never truly belonged on this invitation.
She had just realized it too late.
Knock, knock...
A sudden knock at the door broke the silence. She glanced at her phone—past midnight.
At this hour, there was only one person who would come looking for her.
Max.
Ashley didn’t move. She didn’t want to open the door. But the man outside wasn’t going anywhere.
"Open the door, Ash. I know you’re awake."
Chapter 5
She didn’t respond, just listened in silence as his voice, laced with urgency, echoed through the door. Without a word, she calmly slid the wedding invitation back into the drawer.
"Ash, how’s your foot?"
Her foot?
She glanced down at the bandage wrapped around her wound. What did it matter? Compared to the ache twisting in her chest, this was nothing. Barely a scratch.
Leaning against the wall, she carefully made her way to the door on one leg. The knocking had stopped. Silence stretched on, as if he had finally given up and left.
Pressing her ear against the doorframe, she listened, waiting. When it seemed like he was truly gone, she slowly turned the handle—
Only for a tall figure to push through the moment the door cracked open, trapping her in his arms.
"You didn’t leave!"
She tried to break free, but before she could, he swept her up without effort and carried her straight to the bed, setting her down firmly.
Max didn’t say a word—just knelt before her, silently and carefully unwrapping the bandage around her foot.
"Tss…"
A sharp sting shot through her as he peeled the dressing away. She flinched, instinctively jerking her leg back—And ended up kicking him square in the shoulder.
Caught off guard, Maz let out a low grunt of pain. But he didn’t let go. His grip on her leg remained firm.
Ashley’s heart trembled. "Knocking on my door in the middle of the night, barging in without a word and now holding onto my foot like this—do you really think that’s okay?"
"Max."
His hands stilled. His jaw tightened, his expression dark and unreadable. He didn’t say a word, but the tension in the air was palpable.
Under the dim glow of the night lamp, she could sense his simmering anger, though she had no idea what had set him off.
What did he have to be angry about?
Ashley was the one who had been abandoned. She was the one who had been hurt. And now, she was the one being cornered in the middle of the night.
If anyone had the right to be mad, it was her. Yet, somehow, he was the one acting like the victim?
Ashley’s chest rose and fell sharply, frustration bubbling beneath her skin. The man in front of her was utterly unreasonable.
"Why is the wound this deep?" Max’s voice came out rough, tinged with something that almost sounded like regret. For a fleeting moment, she wondered—did he actually care? "Just stay home and rest, alright?"
She nearly laughed. What else was she supposed to do? Ran off to work with injured foot?
Instead of saying her thoughts out loud, she forced a small, detached smile and gave a quiet nod.
Seeing her unwillingness to speak, Max assumed she was still angry about what had happened earlier.
"Apologize to Lili when you get a chance. She’s just a young girl—you really scared her."
Ashley’s lashes trembled. In that moment, everything clicked.
Max hadn’t come to check on her injury. He didn’t care how bad it was. He was here to make sure she apologized to Liliana. That’s how much she meant to him now.
A dull, suffocating pain crept through her, wrapping around her like a vice. Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unnoticed as they landed on her knees.
Max had been angry before, but the moment he saw her cry, his frustration faded.
And in its place, an unfamiliar panic took root. A gut-deep unease, like something was slipping beyond his control.
"Ash, I promise… I’ll never let you get hurt again."
A bitter laugh nearly escaped her lips. A promise?
Seventeen-year-old Ashley would’ve clung to those words. Would’ve trusted him with her whole heart.
But she was twenty-seven now. And she knew better.
This was classic Max—hitting her with the stick, then offering a sweet lie to smooth it over. He had mastered the art of breaking her down and dressing the wound all in one breath.
Too bad for him. Her heart had already died.
His promises? They meant nothing now.
Chapter 6
That night, maybe it was out of old memories, or maybe it was the sight of her silent tears.
Ashley refused to apologize. In the end, Max let it go. But as he left, his eyes held a trace of helplessness.
Ashley figured he was probably stressing over how to explain this to his little girlfriend. Not that it had anything to do with her.
For the next few days, Max didn’t return to the house. Life settled into quiet routine—reading financial reports, spending time with her mom.
With nothing else to do, she started learning to bake with her, their conversations drifting between lighthearted and casual.
"Ash, there’s something I need to tell you."
Her mother’s tone was calm, but Ashley could sense the weight behind her words.
"I’ve decided to divorce Juan."
Ashley’s hand trembled. The dough she was about to place on the baking tray slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.
It took her a moment to process what her mother had just heard.
"Is it because… Uncle Juan treated you badly?" Ashley spoke carefully.
Meanwhile, Alana assumed her daughter was simply worried about her, didn’t think much of the hesitation in her tone.
Alana patted Ashley’s shoulder gently, her voice warm. “Divorce doesn’t always need a big reason, dear. When two people stop being right for each other, it’s only natural to go their separate ways.”
"Don’t overthink it."
Her mother’s words made something shifted in Ashley’s heart.
She was right. When something no longer fits, you let it go. Just like her and Max. It had taken her ten years to understand that.
“The only thing I still worry about is you and Max. You’re both not getting any younger, yet neither of you is married.”
“And you—how heartless! Running off to another country, leaving your poor mother all alone.”
“Max isn’t much better. He may look well-behaved, but I doubt he’s any less of a headache. At least he has a girlfriend. But you?”
Alana teased, “Maybe it’s time to find yourself a nice foreign boyfriend and finally settle down.”
As they chatted, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hall.
Ashley glanced up—Max was leaning against the wall, idly twirling a small plush toy between his fingers.
He looked… oddly relaxed.
She lowered her gaze, choosing to stay quiet.
Alana, however, greeted him casually, making small talk.
Max responded politely, but his eyes kept drifting toward Ashley.
Alana’s gaze flickered between them, her expression thoughtful. It reminded her of the two’s tense exchange a few days ago. In the end, Alana chose not to say anything.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Alana took the initiative to lighten the mood.
“What’s that fluffy thing you’re holding? Looks pretty cute.”
“This?” Max lifted the plush toy slightly, a hint of amusement in his tone. “It’s a limited edition HammyHamzy.”
“Lili loves it. I upset her the other day, so I figured I’d bring a little gift to make it up to her.”
As he spoke, he pressed his lips together, almost sheepish, raising a hand to cover the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
For a moment, Max looked just like a boy freshly in love—shy, sweet, completely smitten.
Ashley was suddenly reminded of seventeen-year-old Max—back when he was still innocent and unguarded, when just the sight of him could send her heart racing.
She lowered her gaze, slipping her left hand behind her back. No one noticed how tightly she clenched her fingers, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
She thought of the HammyHamzy keychain she had secretly tucked away in her bag. She had always liked HammyHamzy. But Max had once scoffed at it, calling it childish—something only little kids would care about.
Back then, she had believed him.
She was an executive now. Carrying something so cutesy didn’t fit her image. People would talk.
Yet, she still couldn’t resist. She had bought one anyway. She just never put it on her keys. Never let anyone see.
But because Liliana liked it, Max’s attitude had completely changed now.
The same plush toy he once dismissed without a second glance was now something he cradled carefully in his hands, treating it like a treasure.
Ashley blinked, pushing back the sting in her eyes. A normal, open relationship. Undeniable, unabashed affection.
For just a moment, she envied Liliana. Unlike her, Liliana never had to hide. Not her feelings. Not the man she loved. Not even a simple plush toy.
Ashley suddenly felt drained.
Max’s voice snapped her back to reality. “Oh, right. When I walked in just now, I heard something about a foreign boyfriend? Who’s the lucky one?”
Chapter 7
Max raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes darkening with a hint of curiosity.
Before Alana could mention Ashley’s plans to go abroad, Ashley cut her off.
“Just a friend. I recently started dating someone overseas.”
Max acknowledged her response with a simple sound and didn’t linger downstairs any longer.
Alana, on the other hand, looked at her in disbelief. “You haven’t told Max you’re leaving?”
“Ash, you’re an adult now. Why are you acting like a kid throwing a tantrum?”
“Aren’t you the closest to Max? What happened?”
Ashley’s eyes flickered and her voice was low. “We had a fight… still haven’t made up.”
“Mom, don’t mention my trip abroad to him yet. I’ll tell him when the time comes.”
Alana thought back—it wasn’t the first time they’d argued. She figured it was just another small fight and chose not to press further, letting them work it out on their own.
She agreed. Kids these days were complicated and she had no interest in getting involved.
That evening, as they were getting ready for dinner at the old house, Max received a call from Liliana. Sitting across from him, Ashley vaguely heard a sweet, soft voice from the other end of the line.
The voice said there was a surprise for him.
As Ashley took a sip of water, she glanced at Max unintentionally and noticed the faint smile tugging at his lips. He rubbed his forehead helplessly, looking like he had no way of dealing with whoever was on the other end of the call.
Ashley didn’t react, calmly waiting for dinner. She knew there was nothing between them anymore. She had already prepared herself for the day Max would fall in love with someone else—maybe even get married and have kids.
That thought made her eyes dim slightly. Later that night, as she lay in bed, she found herself tossing and turning for no reason.
She hadn’t expected to hear Max knocking on her door again.
Knock, knock, knock…
The knocking was urgent, but she ignored it. Then, her phone started buzzing nonstop.
It was Max calling. Annoyed by the noise, she picked up in a hushed voice.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Open the door.” His voice was hoarse, firm, leaving no room for argument.
Ashley had no intention of listening. She sat up and shouted through the door, “Max, are you out of your mind? I’m not opening it.”
“Ash, you’re still so foolish…”
Outside, she could hear his heavy breathing. Then, the sound of the lock turning.
Only then did Ashley remember—Max had a key to her room.
Her pupils quivered as panic set in. She tried to brace against the door, but the difference in strength between them was overwhelming. Max pushed his way in effortlessly.
A crisp, cool scent filled the air. Ashley instinctively wanted to escape, but before she could, Max’s strong arms wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly in place.
His brows were furrowed, his sharp features cast in deep shadows under the dim hallway light, making him seem even more unreadable.
The faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air. Just as she thought, Ashley realized. Max was drunk and came to her room with up to no good.
Ashley struggled harder, her voice filled with frustration. “Let go of me! If you’re drunk, go sleep it off somewhere else. Don’t come here acting crazy!”
But before she could break free, Max pressed her against the wall, tilted her chin up and captured her lips in a forceful, domineering kiss.
“Mmph—”
The more she resisted, the deeper he kissed her, as if trying to carve himself into her very soul.
By the time he finally pulled away, his arms had only tightened around her. Ashley felt dizzy, her cheeks burning with heat.
Max’s gaze was dark and intense.
Ashley’s body trembled with unease. Sensing her hesitation, Max who was uncharacteristically gentle, lowered his voice and whispered a quiet reassurance.
"Come on, Ash... you want me too, don't you?"
Ashley shoved Max away with all her strength, fury bubbling up inside her.
Caught off guard, he fell to the ground. His once dazed, drunken eyes slowly began to clear.
Ashley was afraid of what might happen next, imagining the household staff walking in and seeing them both, disheveled and tangled in this mess.
Then, they'd notice the strange, forbidden bond between the step-siblings.
Weakly, she reached for the nightlight and turned it on. Sitting at the corner of the bed, she watched as Max’s usual indifferent expression returned.
The room fell into a heavy silence. Her throat tightened before she finally spoke.
"You're sober now."
Max lowered his head and rubbed his forehead, responding quietly, "Yeah."
A wave of frustration surged within her. How could he be so calm after everything that had just happened?
"What's the matter? Did Liliana not satisfy you? Had to crawl out of bed in the middle of the night and come to me instead?"
A bitter smirk curled on her lips as her anger flared. She wanted to tear apart the calm expression on his face. From the past until now, he had always controlled her emotions.
It was like this when they were together and even now, after their breakup, it was still the same. For once, she wanted to make him feel something—wanted to see him lose control.
To Ashley's surprise, he simply furrowed his brow and looked at her with dark, unreadable eyes. "She's very obedient. She didn't want to make move I didn't tell her to."
Max' voice was flat, like a blade cutting into her heart, leaving deep, painful wounds with every word.
"I drank too much and wasn’t thinking clearly. Just forget I came here tonight."
Ashley had no choice but to admit defeat. In just a few short sentences, he had wounded her beyond repair.
Max staggered to his feet and left and her vision began to blur as tears filled her eyes. Downstairs, the sound of a car engine roared to life, Max was finally gone. For good, this time.
This man had finally broken the last shred of attachment she had to him.
Ashley's heart raced and her breathing grew shallow. The air around her seemed thick and stifling and she couldn’t catch her breath.
With a sharp thud, she collapsed to the floor, the suffocating feeling overtaking her. Tears welled up as she slipped into darkness.
When she woke, she found herself in a hospital bed. The housekeeper had heard strange noises downstairs that night, gone up to check and found her pale and unconscious. They had called an ambulance just in time.
Alana was startled by how she found Ashley and couldn't help but lecture her daughter.
Even Juan, despite his busy schedule, took the time to visit Ashley once. Max, on the other hand, never showed up.
His whereabout was obvious. All Ashley had to do was check Liliana’s social media to know where he was. But she wasn’t interested in his life anymore.
The day she was discharged from the hospital was the same day she flew to Puerto Vendaval. She gave Alana a brief goodbye, grabbed her suitcase and boarded the flight.
After getting on the plane, Ashley opened the chat box between herself and Max.
She had thought a lot before sending him the last message. She wanted to ask him why he treated her like this. But now, when it was time to end it, she only typed a short sentence.
[Max, I don't care about you anymore, and I won't love you anymore. We're done.]
The plane took off slowly, and she blocked all his contact information in one breath - she would never see Max or this city again.
Before turning off the phone, her mother sent a text message: Ashley, Mom applauds your courage to pursue yourself, and Mom hopes you are happiness.
Ashley looked at the clouds outside the window and smiled slightly.
This time, she left the past behind forever, and she will definitely be happiness!!!
