​Max looked down, his eyes trembling. He hadn't expected it to go this far; he hadn't expected his father to be this cold. "Why, Father?" Max finally whispered. "Am I really such a heavy burden to you?"

​Matthias was about to raise his voice when the rhythmic click of Hanna’s heels approached. He instantly adjusted his tie, his expression shifting into a mask of civility.

​"Good morning!" Hanna said, her voice full of its usual warmth.

​"Good morning, darling," Matthias replied smoothly. "You look beautiful—perhaps even more so than when we woke up."

​Hanna gave a bashful laugh, while Max watched them in sheer shock. He didn't even realize he had started to cry.

​Hanna noticed. "Max! Why are you crying?"

​Max tried to find his voice, but Matthias cut him off. "He’s just a sensitive lad, darling. He’s simply overwhelmed by the news of his engagement to Maria Habsburg."

​"Well," Hanna said, her brow furrowing with concern, "if he doesn't like her, why not suggest someone else?"

​Max slammed his hand onto the breakfast table, making the china rattle. "Enough! I am not an object for you to use to please people!"

​Hanna looked bewildered. "What do you mean? Didn't you ask your father to find you a wife?"

​Max’s eyes widened in horror. He turned a gaze of pure, unadulterated hatred toward his father. "I asked you for a wife? Tell me... did I ever say I wanted a wife?"

​Matthias looked at him with utter disgust. "Yes. You asked for this."

​"Stop lying!" Max screamed, his voice a cocktail of rage and agony. "I never asked you for anything!"

​Matthias lunged forward, slapping Max across the face before grabbing him by the ear. "How dare you call me a liar? You pathetic piece of filth. Without me, you are nothing—just a pitiable little pervert. I should have left you with your whore of a mother; perhaps you’d be happy in the gutter with her!"

​Max felt a wave of nausea at his father’s toxic words. He wanted to shatter Matthias's face, to drive a knife into one of those cold blue eyes. But Hanna stepped between them.

​"Matthias, please! He isn't a child. He has the right to grow and decide for himself."

​"Darling, stay out of this," Matthias said coldly. "He is my son. I know what’s best for him."

​Max stumbled away, ignoring his father’s repeated calls. He locked himself in his room and checked his phone. Johann had read the message from last night, but there was no reply.

​He dialed Johann’s number, sobbing for breath. The weight on his chest was crushing. Johann finally answered. "Oh, Max? How are things, then?"

​"I’m at my worst, Johann," Max choked out.

​"What? Did Daddy cut off your allowance?" Johann asked mockingly.

​"It’s worse... it’s..." Max stopped. He heard a voice in the background. A soft, feminine voice. No... it couldn't be. "Who is with you?"

​"It’s... it’s just my sister. Haha."

​Max’s suspicion flared. "Your sister? Didn't you say you hated her? That she lived in Austria with your mother?"

​"Er... yeah. She just came for a visit," Johann stuttered.

​"And does your sister usually comment on the taste of your... member?" Max asked, trying to hold himself together.

​Silence followed. Then Johann snapped, "Are you doubting me?"

​"No... I’m not," Max lied, his heart aching. "I just heard a noise."

​"It’s the telly," Johann said firmly. "Anyway, what did you want to say?"

​Max remembered the nightmare. "Father is planning to marry me off to Maria Habsburg."

​Johann went quiet for a moment, then growled, "Who does he think he is, touching what belongs to me?"

​"I don't know... I think it’s about that business deal I messaged you about."

​"Messaged me? Oh, right... I remember. Look, why don't you come over to my flat and rest?"

​"I’m on my way."

​Max hung up, shivering as if with a fever. Was Johann cheating? He said it was his sister... then the TV... No, surely he was just playing a prank. He loves jokes. He’s the only one who loves me.

​Max grabbed his keys, hopped into his BMW, and sped through the city, ignoring his university lectures. He reached the apartment and knocked.

​Johann opened the door, pulling him inside. But there, sitting in the living room, was a blonde girl.

​"Johann, who is she?!"

​Johann gave a mocking smirk, patting Max on the backside. "Just a friend. No need to be jealous, little one."

​To be continued...