​I jolted awake, gasping as sweat drenched my skin. My brain refused to let go of that nightmare. I sat on the edge of the bed, lighting a cigarette. I needed the nicotine to burn through the phantom pain in my chest.

​A cough sounded behind me. Max. That pampered, pathetic brat. Why is he so revoltingly weak? I stepped onto the balcony to smoke in peace. The Berlin lights were dazzling tonight, almost as if they were mocking my wretched existence.

​After my shower—whether to wash away the traces of him or to clear my head, I didn't know—I went to fix some food. I glanced at the bed; Max was weeping in his sleep. What, did Daddy yell at him in a dream? Haha, failure.

​While eating, I noticed Max’s phone buzzing incessantly. I picked it up. Matthias Adler.

"Where are you?"

"Return to the manor immediately!"

"Max, you’re my man, not a child. Stop this!"

​Then, a photo appeared. A girl with thick raven hair, pale blue eyes, and rose-petal lips. Maria Habsburg. Stunning, cultured, perfect. The message attached said: "Max, rethink your life. Look at her. Maria is attractive and sophisticated. Just leave that disgusting rat."

​I knew I was the 'rat.' To the velvet-clad elite, people like me are just vermin. But there’s a delicious irony in it: this arrogant rich man's son surrenders his body and soul to me just to feel 'loved.' It’s clear who the disgusting one really is.

​I woke him up.

"Max... it’s morning. Get up."

He blinked slowly. "What time is it?"

"6:46. I’ve made you breakfast. Eat, then go to uni."

​He grabbed my hand, his eyes shimmering with that sickeningly sweet gratitude. "Thank you," he whispered, smiling through tears. "Thank you for being the only person who cares about me."

I forced a thin,  fake smile  and patted his hand. "I’m always with you, darling."

​As he got ready, he noticed his phone had been accessed. "Johann? Did you read my father’s messages?"

"Yeah," I replied mockingly. "Just wanted to make sure he wasn't threatening to hurt you."

He beamed at me and gave me a hug before we headed out.

​"So, Max... what’s the plan for your little fiancée?"

"I don't know, Johann. Maybe I’ll just ignore her. Girls hate being ignored."

"And if your father forces your hand?"

"I’ll meet her if I must, but I’ll never love her. I love you."

​"Right, right. I love you too. Now move it, before we hit traffic."

​To be continued...