The Change|| BxB

24. The Price Of Defiance

They were naïve to think this wasn't going to happen. Valentino's father had issued threats several times over the past month, demanding money that seemed unnecessary. Despite being wealthier than Valentino by several million dollars, he still sought to create strife, fueled by a desire to punish his eldest son for his defiance.

Valentino had hoped that paying him off would resolve the situation. He'd underestimated his father's malice, though, and now the confrontation was inevitable.

"I'm still standing here waiting for the money, Valentino!" His father shouted through the door, voice echoing with a mix of anger and entitlement. After Valentino had slammed the door in his face, his father continued, "I didn't raise you to be a little f*ggot!"

Valentino opened the door, glaring down at his father. "You're making me pay you because I'm gay? Wow. You really are a piece of shit," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're disgusting. You really are."

With a sense of reluctant resignation, Valentino handed his father a check for one million dollars. It was a significant sum, but to his father, it was just a drop in the bucket. Valentino felt a deep frustration, as if he should not have given him anything at all. He watched his father step back, mouth open to retaliate, but before any words could be exchanged, Valentino slammed the door shut. He watched through the peephole as his father walked away, a mix of anger and relief flooding his veins.

Turning around, Valentino found Max standing nearby, eyes wide with shock. Max had never seen such a display of cruelty from Valentino's father before. It was a stark revelation of the man's true nature—a cruelty that Max found hard to process.

"What was thaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" Kyle's voice rang out from the front area, his speech slurred heavily as he staggered into the room. Max and Valentino, holding hands, walked into the kitchen. They were greeted by the sight of Kyle and Paris, both clearly drunk, giggling uncontrollably and irritating the cooks and maids. Although the staff had yet to voice their displeasure, the situation was far from ideal.

Max looked at Valentino, who was visibly frustrated. The contrast between his father's behavior and the light-hearted chaos caused by Kyle and Paris was stark. Valentino's father was a relentless source of pain and conflict, while Kyle and Paris were more of a bothersome distraction.

Valentino and Max exchanged glances and decided to retreat to their shared bedroom. They needed a break from the tumultuous environment and the heavy emotions of the day.

Once they reached their room, Valentino collapsed onto the bed with a deep sigh. His exhaustion was palpable, a mix of emotional and physical fatigue weighing on him. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying the day's events. The confrontation with his father had drained him more than he anticipated, leaving him feeling both defeated and resolute.

Max sat beside him, sensing his distress. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, gently rubbing Valentino's back.

Valentino turned to face him, his expression a blend of frustration and sorrow. "I'm just tired. Dealing with him takes a lot out of me."

Max nodded sympathetically. "I know. It's hard to understand why he's so cruel."

"Yeah," Valentino replied, his voice heavy. "He's always been like this. I thought maybe giving him the money would make him back off, but he's just as twisted as ever."

Max leaned in closer, offering comfort. "You did what you had to do. And I'm here with you. We'll get through this together."

Valentino managed a weak smile, grateful for Max's support. He appreciated the comfort and reassurance Max provided, even amidst the chaos.

As they lay there together, the sounds of Kyle and Paris' drunken revelry occasionally drifted into the room, but Valentino and Max were insulated from the noise by their shared closeness. Valentino's thoughts slowly began to drift away from his father's cruel words, finding solace in Max's presence.

They lay together in the quiet of their room, the day's tension gradually melting away. It was a small sanctuary from the outside world, a place where they could find brief respite from their struggles. The challenges they faced were significant, but in this moment, they found a brief respite in each other's arms, hoping that tomorrow would bring a new chance to face their trials with renewed strength.

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