THE WAR GOD'S RECKONING

Chapter 7

Max returned early the next morning, sunlight barely creeping through the thin curtains.

He hadn’t even reached the door before it burst open and Rose flung herself into his arms, clinging tight.

“Daddy! You said you wouldn’t leave again!” she wailed, her voice muffled and shaky. “Why did you go? Mama said you’d come back, but I thought..”

Max knelt and hugged her close, breathing in the scent of her hair, a tired warmth in his eyes. He looked over her head to Fiona, silent question in his gaze.

Fiona crossed her arms but her tone was softer than before. “You can stay with us,” she said, almost grudging, but relief slipped through her. “It’s better for Rose. And for all of us.”

She hadn’t slept, he could see it in the dull ache behind her eyes. The night before had been chaos. Rose had thrown a fit, screaming herself hoarse for her father, only drifting to sleep when Fiona finally whispered a hundred reassurances that he’d come back for her.

Max nodded. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He glanced at Fiona, then said, “Get ready. You’re going to Atlas Consortium. They open soon, go pitch the contract. I’ll handle things here.”

Fiona hesitated, nerves twitching under her skin. “Atlas is… that’s not...”

But the business card in her pocket silenced her doubts. She nodded and grabbed her files, glancing at Rose one last time before slipping out the door.

---

With Fiona gone, Max turned to Rose and Amelia. “Get dressed. We’re going out.”

Amelia blinked, suspicious. “Out?”

“To eat,” Max said. “Somewhere good. No more instant noodles and stale bread.”

Rose’s eyes lit up and Amelia looked unconvinced.

They arrived at a high-end restaurant, all glass and gold accents, the kind of place that looked down on cheap shoes and empty wallets. The menu alone was enough to make most people sweat.

Amelia stared at the prices, her lips pressed into a thin line. “We could buy foodstuff with this and eat for a month, bro. Is this really necessary?”

Even little Rose, sharp as ever, frowned up at him. “Daddy, is it okay? Mama always says we can’t waste money.”

Max smiled, something almost mischievous in the set of his jaw. “Order whatever you want. Both of you. Don’t worry about the bill.”

Amelia’s skepticism lingered, but hunger and Rose’s pleading eyes won out.

They ordered, shy at first, then with a little more confidence as the food came. Amelia even let herself laugh for the first time in weeks. Rose beamed, mouth smeared with cream, a giggle in every word.

Max watched them eat, a strange mix of guilt and satisfaction twisting in his chest. It shouldn’t have taken him so long to give them this simple comfort.

But as he watched his daughter’s eyes light up, as Amelia relaxed and forgot her troubles for a moment, Max told himself, he’d never let them settle for scraps again.

Rose grinned at him, swinging her feet under the table. “Daddy, are you going to stay with us forever now?”

Max nodded, voice gentle but sure. “Forever, little one.”

He meant it and for the first time since his return, the world felt a little less broken.

As they enjoyed their meal, Max’s phone buzzed. He excused himself, stepping away to answer. Tiger’s voice came through, low and urgent.

“Boss, I found something you need to hear. Five years ago, it was your wife’s cousin who drugged you. The same bastard you took the fall for, went to the army in his place. He did it on purpose. The plan was to get your wife pregnant, force her out of her position at the company. And he got what he wanted.”

Max’s eyes narrowed, fury simmering just beneath the surface, but his voice stayed cool. “You’re sure?”

“Positive. We’ve got witnesses, records, but your family investigation that you asked us to look into, it will take time. It’s been a long cover-up.”

Max nodded to himself. “Good work. Stay on it.”

He ended the call, jaw clenched, rage pulsing through his veins, but he didn’t show it as he returned to the table. He sat quietly, letting Rose chatter away, letting Amelia relax and the monster in his chest chained tight for now.

They finished their food, laughter and warmth pushing back the old shadows. When they left the restaurant, the city’s heat hit them in the face.. then tires crunched and engines purred.

A row of gleaming, expensive cars pulled up, blocking their path, black paint shining and, engines humming power. The restaurant’s valet stumbled back, eyes wide. Doors opened, suits stepped out, forming a respectful but immovable wall.

From the lead car, an old man emerged, silver hair, tailored suit, presence impossible to ignore. He strode up to Max and, to everyone’s shock, bowed low.

“Mr. Thompson respectfully requests your presence at the Thompson family house. He asks that you join him as honored guest.”

Rose gripped Max’s hand, wide-eyed and Amelia stiffened. Max’s eyes flickered with nothing but boredom as he stared at the people that interrupted his family time.