"Sweetheart, you stay here, okay? Mom and Dad have visitors," Max’s mother whispered with a gentle smile, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.
She closed the door quietly before returning to the living room with Arthur, Max’s father.
Max waited patiently and obediently, but the moment raised voices began cutting through the walls, curiosity tugged at him. Arthur’s voice was sharp, angrier than he had ever heard it. Unable to stop himself, little Maximilian crept forward and cracked the door open just enough.
From behind his parents, he could see them standing firm with his mother clutching Arthur’s sleeve, Arthur shielding her with his body. But beyond them… Max saw the visitors.
Lionel Liroux stood in front, his expression cold, a gun raised in his hand.
And behind Lionel, silent an
