Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Shadows of Deceit
Sophia couldn't help but be shocked. She heard Marcus went blind years ago.
But now he was standing there in the arena with his two eyes wild open and working perfectly.
Tears couldn't help but form in her eyes.
She misses Marcus so much, most especially she misses the three of them together, her , Anthony and Marcus.
Their once happy family.
Everything happening now is all her fault, its her fault and she couldn't help but blame and beat herself up.
If she didn't get involved with Khalid at the first place, she wouldn't have been entangled with Damon and everything wouldn't have happened at all.
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Marcus's gaze pierces Anthony, his silence deafening. Alex's grin seems to mock Anthony's guilt-ridden expression.
The tension is palpable as Marcus finally speaks, his words cutting deep into Anthony's conscience. "Anthony, I'm deeply disappointed in you.
You abandoned your blind father, leaving me alone, and instead, you've been consorting with my enemies, the very people responsible for my blindness. The last time I saw you, you promised to return for me, but you never did."
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Anthony's eyes widened in shock as he heard his father's words. He had never suspected that Khalid was responsible for his father's blindness. The revelation hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him reeling. He remembered the day his father was brought home, blind and broken, but he had never imagined that Khalid was the one behind it. His mind raced with questions and emotions, feeling betrayed and angry. "Why didn't you tell me, father?" he asked, his voice shaking with emotion. "Why did you keep this from me?"
Marcus's expression was a mix of sadness and regret. "I didn't want to burden you, Anthony. I wanted to protect you from the harsh realities of our world. But now, seeing you stand alongside our enemies, I realize I was wrong to keep silent."
Anthony felt a pang of guilt and shame. He had always thought he was doing the right thing by joining Khalid's empire, but now he was beginning to question everything. He looked at his father, seeing the pain and hurt in his eyes, and knew he had to make things right.
"Father, I...I didn't know," Anthony stuttered. "I'll make it right, I promise. I'll leave Khalid's empire and come back to you."
Marcus's face softened, and he reached out to his son. "Come home, Anthony. We'll face whatever comes together, as a family."
Anthony's eyes welled up with tears as he embraced his father, feeling a sense of redemption and hope. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to make things right.
Just then, Khalid's voice boomed from the shadows, "Marcus, you're a fool for thinking you can undo the past. Your son is mine now, and he'll do my bidding."
Marcus's grip on Anthony tightened, "Never, Khalid. My son is coming home with me, where he belongs."
Anthony stood tall, his voice firm, "I'm with my father, Khalid. I won't be a part of your empire anymore."
Khalid sneered, "You're making a grave mistake, Anthony. You'll regret this betrayal."
The air was thick with tension as the two factions faced off, the outcome hanging precariously in the balance.
Sophia's eyes darted between her sons, her heart heavy with worry, while Alex watched with a calculating gaze, ready to strike. The stage was set for a final, decisive showdown.
Adrain, Damon and the rest of the clan members of both empires stood watching the family drama in silence and shock.
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Ivy stepped forward, her eyes pleading, "Anthony, don't go. Stay with us. You still have to find your mother, and I don't want to lose our friendship."
Anthony's gaze narrowed, his voice firm but laced with hurt. "Ivy, you didn't know about this, did you? You didn't know Khalid was responsible for my father's blindness?"
Ivy's silence was telling, her eyes dropping in guilt.
Anthony's expression turned bitter. "Your silence explains everything. Tell me the truth, Ivy. What did you and your father have planned for me? Was I just a pawn in your games? You wanted to use me against Adrian, didn't you? You knew he was my brother, and you played me like a fool."
Ivy's face paled, her lips trembling, but she remained silent, unable to deny Anthony's accusations.
Anthony's voice rose, his emotions raw. "You manipulated me, Ivy. You used our friendship to keep me in the dark. I thought we had something real, something true. But it was all a lie, wasn't it?"
Ivy's eyes welled up with tears, but she still couldn't find her voice. She reached out a hand, pleading, but Anthony stepped back, away from her.
"Don't touch me, Ivy. You've done enough damage already. You and your father have destroyed everything. I don't know what's worse, the fact that you used me or that you didn't even have the decency to tell me the truth."
The silence that followed was oppressive, the weight of Anthony's words hanging heavy in the air. Sophia's eyes were fixed on her son, her heart aching with sorrow. Marcus's expression was stern, his eyes never leaving Ivy and Khalid's face. Alex watched with a calculating gaze, ready to strike. The tension was palpable, the outcome hanging precariously in the balance.
Anthony turned to his father, his voice firm. "Let's go, Father. I've had enough of their lies and deceit."
Marcus nodded, his eyes never leaving Khalid's face. "Yes, son. It's time for us to leave."
As they turned to walk away, Ivy finally found her voice. "Anthony, please...don't go. I'll do anything to make it right."
Anthony stopped, his back to her. "Anything? You'll do anything? It's too late for that, Ivy. You had your chance to tell me the truth, to be a true friend. But you chose to deceive me instead."
He turned to face her, his eyes blazing with anger. "You want to know what I want from you? I want the truth. I want to know why you and your father felt the need to manipulate me, to use me against my own brother. I want to know what you hoped to gain from all of this."
Ivy's eyes dropped, her face pale. "I...I didn't mean to hurt you, Anthony. I swear it. I just wanted to help my father, to help our empire..."
Anthony's laugh was bitter. "Your empire? You mean the empire built on lies and deceit? The empire that destroys lives and families? No, Ivy. I don't want any part of that."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ivy and her father to face the consequences of their actions.
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