Chapter 1
Max
The alarm buzzed beside my bed, pulling me out of a dreamless sleep. I cracked one eye open, squinting at the sunlight streaming through the curtains. The golden rays hit my face, making my green eyes gleam or so I liked to think.
A grin spread across my face. First day of the last semester. The final lap before freedom. After this year, Dad would hand over the company, and I’d officially be the man in charge. The thought alone made my chest swell with excitement. No more lectures, no more pointless assignments just power, business, and the world at my feet.
I rolled out of bed, running a hand through my messy curls. Perfectly imperfect. I didn’t care much for perfection chaos suited me. Pulling on my black hoodie, ripped denim jeans, and my new Gucci Ace sneakers, I checked myself in the mirror. Yeah, still looked like someone who owned the damn university which, technically, my family did.
As I headed downstairs, the smell of coffee hit me, but the sound that followed froze me in place soft, broken sobs.
“Mom?”
She was sitting at the dining table, shoulders trembling, hands clutching a napkin. The right side of her face was bruised again. My heart clenched, rage rising like fire in my throat.
“Did he—” I started, already knowing the answer.
She didn’t look up. “Max, please. Not today.”
I clenched my fists. I’d fought him before my father. The great Richard Evans, businessman of the year, the man everyone respected. But no one saw the monster behind closed doors. Every time he raised his hand at her, I swore I’d stop him for good. I even dragged her to the police once, but she refused to speak. Said she loved him. Said marriage was about forgiveness.
Forgiveness. What a joke.
I looked at her again the woman who still smiled through pain, who still tried to make breakfast for the man who hurt her.
Just one more year. One year, and I’d get her out of here. Far away. Somewhere safe. Somewhere he couldn’t find us.
For now, I picked up my bag, forcing a smirk back on my face. Time to play the role I was best at Max Evans, the untouchable king of Westhill University.
