Chapter 93: My Gift To You
What had become painfully clear during their exchange was this, Chad still had no idea Dipter had already been dealt with. The threat he once held over Max’s head... no longer existed. All that cocky confidence? It was hollow.
But ironically, Chad was bluffing in his own mind, too. As far as he was concerned, Dipter had slipped out of his control. He believed the fear he’d planted in Max was still alive and well, unaware of everything that had happened since.
Instead of replying, Max turned toward Sheri. He gently moved her hand off his forearm, then took both of her hands in his.
"I want you, for just a moment, to forget what anyone else wants," Max said softly. "I want to ask you, what do you want? If you want to stay here, to stay with Chad, then I won’t stop you. But if you want to leave this situation, if you want out, then I’ll help you. I’ll support you completely. This time... I just want to know what you want."
"What I want...?" Sheri echoed faintly.
The words, so simple to Max, hit Sheri like a tidal wave.
The last person who had ever asked her what she wanted... had been her father. And ever since he passed, not once had anyone asked again.
It had always been her mother, drilling into her what was best for the family, for the business, for her father’s legacy. But right now, her mother wasn’t by her side, whispering commands in her ear.
Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was that brief space to breathe. But in that moment, something stirred inside her.