The shock that flickered across Maximilian's face at Alexander's decisive, almost merciless, words lasted only a heartbeat.
Then his gaze hardened.
The violet in his eyes sharpened into something metallic, cold as a honed blade catching the light.
"That's your decision," Maximilian said evenly. "Not hers."
"She wants you dead," Alexander shot back.
The words were brutal. Necessary.
Alexander saw the flicker in Maximilian's blue-violet eyes… the brief tightening that betrayed pain before it vanished behind composure. He knew he was being harsh. But he needed to see it. Needed to know whether Maximilian would crumble, deflect… or stand.
There had never been any doubt that Maximilian had loved Catherine.
