Chapter 12

Max was left alone in the apartment, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. He had managed to make Irina leave, at least for now, but the situation was far from resolved. Their relationship was crumbling, and Max knew that it was time to face the truth.

He walked through the empty rooms, each one a reminder of their shattered dreams. The apartment that was meant to be their temporary getaway now symbolized the disintegration of their future together. Max couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for the life they had once imagined—a home with a garden, a grill area, a pool, a spacious kitchen, an entertainment room, and a view of a lake, with plenty of rooms for their future children. A place where family could thrive.

It was one of their dreams as a married couple, although Irina had always preferred a penthouse in a famous and expensive building with a view of the Statue of Liberty. Max had been confident that he could convince her to embrace a quieter life outside the bustling cit