Chapter 1

“What’s going on here?” Maximus frowned, holding his portfolio in his armpit as he approached the family mansion.

His luggage was in front of the walkway, all his belongings were scattered as though there was a huge fight.

“Thank goodness you are here!” The gasp of his father redirected his eyes to the happening location. Mr. Wayles Prime and his wife, Mrs. Wayles walked out from the mansion.

“Father, what is happening here?” He asked, staring at them anxiously.

“What does it look like, bastard? It is time to return to where you came from.” His father snorted with an annoying voice.

“I don’t understand you, dad. I just left the house to check on my application for a job, is this something that could get you mad?” He tried to explain to him even though it felt so difficult to.

“No, I don’t mean that place.” His father rolled his eyes sarcastically.

“Then, where else?” He curled his lips.

“Back to the orphanage where I picked you!” His father yelled at his face, angrily and he was taken aback in shock. His jaw dropped.

“Father…” He couldn’t take in what he had heard. 

“My husband has spoken, that’s final. We are done with you and we want you out of our house, don’t piss me off because you have reached your brim to be considered.” Mrs. Wayles ranted in disgust.

“This is my home, father. I have been here since I was born and I don’t know any orphanage.” He paused. “Everyone is against me, now, father. I can’t believe that even my own family is trying to abandon me.” He cried out sadly and what rested on his cheek was a dirty slap from his adoptive mother.

“Family?” Mr. Wayles laughed. “We were never family and would never accept such a useless thug like you.” Mr. Wayles spat bluntly at his face.

“Mother..!” He cried out.

Though he has been living with them, he was never loved by his mother and father, they only loved him when he made an achievement but afterward, they treated him as trash and like their real son’s slave.

From the public down to his house, no one wanted to be close to him, no one loved him and everyone cast him away. Depression was easy to get but he tried to grow up strong amidst the storm.

“Maximus, we agreed to adopt you because the doctor claimed my wife can never get pregnant. But since she got pregnant and has a son almost your age, it’s unnecessary to keep you around.” His eyes widened as his father continued speaking harshly. He had no emotion in his eyes.

“Kaiden is coming back and we don’t want him to meet with you, nor do we want him to share anything with a dumbass like you. So, please leave.” Ending his statement, his father kicked his dresses over to him and he looked at them.

They were looking messy.

It felt like a dream but no matter how he closed his eyes and opened them, the truth remained that his family no longer wanted him, they had abandoned him and wanted him out of their lives.

“Father…” He wanted to plea, he wanted to try another chance but his mother stepped in, by this time, Mr. Wayles sighed and went into the mansion.

“We are done here, Maximus. If you ever come back here again to cause any trouble, you will hate my guts.” She spat at his face in annoyance and stormed out.

He rolled his luggage and damp clothes on his shoulder as he tried to look for where to sleep for the night. He wanted to sleep at the public house but it was full. He had no money to afford a motel for the night and then, it occurred to him that he had a best friend, not only that but one that lived closer to him and he would never restrain him from visiting.

“What are you doing here by this time, Max?” His best friend, Richard, was surprised to see him at his place.

Maximus rarely comes out at night and the Wayles would never allow him outside since he did all the tasks of a servant, including washing his mother’s underwear.

“I… I will have to crash here tonight, man. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” He grumbled, placing a hand on Richard’s shoulder.

Richard shrugged, looking dissatisfied.

“You would have called, you know.” Richard paused. “What if I had my friends over? Or I wasn’t at home.” Richard complained.

“This is not going to happen, ever again. Besides, I’m leaving first thing tomorrow morning.” He assured Richard with a warm smile and Richard sighed, giving him way to enter into his apartment.

He settled down and tried to gather his head around.

He had gone through so much today, was it the scene where his ex-course mate laughed at him for having been wearing the same outfit since their final school days? Or the scene where his juniors bullied him?

He was tired and confused. Why did his family suddenly change?

They despised him but they would never chase him out of the house, except someone really wanted him out or there was something he didn’t know about.

He grew thirsty and walked out from the guest room that Richard had pointed for him.

“Bro, I…” He stopped in his tracks when he found Richard making a call, he was facing him with his back.

Maximus attempted to leave but a statement stopped him.

“You mean that bastard, Maximus? I guess your parents already kicked him out because he came begging to stay with me.” Richard laughed over the phone.

“What? Who is he speaking with?” He became anxious and leaned on the wall, hoping to understand the call.

“Yes, I don’t plan to keep him here for long. I will kick him out.” Richard grinned happily.

Maximus was confused, was this his best friend? The same person they had agreed to be sworn brothers and protect each other.

“Don’t worry, I will make sure your brother has a miserable fate before you return. I will definitely put him in his place.” Richard continued making his call.

“What? Even Richard also can’t be trusted?” As he thought, he returned to the guest room in shock.