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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 21
"Rafael, I don't think I can involve you in my cafe," Maxime said quietly, trying to keep his composure."What do you mean, Max?" asked Rafael, his face showing confusion."I was going to tell you to work at my cafe, but Tjoe didn't agree with that," Maxime said, his voice firm but regretful.Rafael was silent for a moment, then his eyes lit up with disappointment. "So you'd take Tjoe's word over helping your own brother?" he asked bitterly.Maxime sighed heavily. "Rafael, this isn't about choosing Tjoe or you. It's about keeping our cafe that we've worked so hard to build. I can't take a risk that could destroy it all."Rafael smiled bitterly, nodding slowly. "I understand, Max. Maybe you're right. I'm the one who always brings trouble. I don't want to trouble you further."Maxime felt a wave of pain when he saw Rafael's expression. "Rafael, wait. It's not about being troublesome or not. We can find other ways to help you."But Rafael had already decided. "No need, Max. I'll just lea
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 22
Without thinking, Maxime broke down the door with all his might. The door opened with a loud bang, and Maxime immediately saw his father lying on the floor, looking weak and helpless. "Dad!" Maxime shrieked, running over and kneeling beside his father. "What happened? Dad, please wake up!"Rafael stood in the corner of the room, looking confused and indifferent. "She's fine, Max. Don't overdo it."Maxime looked at Rafael with eyes full of anger. "Don't you see? Dad is in pain! Why are you silent?"Rafael shrugged in a nonchalant manner. "She's always like that, Max. It's no big deal. She just needs to rest."Maxime couldn't contain his emotions anymore. "You don't care at all, Rafael! Dad needs help, and you're just standing there? What's really going on here?"Rafael stepped forward, his face showing no less fury. "Don't blame me, Max. This is all because of your selfish decision. You didn't want to help us the easy way. If only you'd let me work at the cafe, things wouldn't have got
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 23
Maxime nodded, wiping away his tears. "Yes, I'm Maxime.""There's someone who'd like to see you," the nurse said, pointing at an elderly man walking slowly towards them. Maxime recognized the man as Pak Budi, an old acquaintance of his family."Maxime," Mr. Budi greeted him in a husky yet warm voice."I heard about your father's condition. I came to see if there was anything I could do to help." Maxime was surprised and relieved at the same time."Mr. Budi, I'm very grateful. Our situation is very difficult right now. "Mr. Budi smiled wisely."I know, my son. Your father was a good friend of mine for many years. Although we don't always agree, I can't let him suffer without trying to help."Mr. Budi then took out an envelope from his jacket and handed it to Maxime."It's not a big amount, but I hope it can help a little." Maxime opened the envelope and found some money inside. Maxime's eyes filled with tears again, this time not from sadness, but from emotion and gratitude."Thank you
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 24
That evening, after a long day, Maxime and his father sat in their small living room. A warm and loving atmosphere filled the room. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. Maxime got up, feeling a little uneasy. As he opened the door, he was surprised to see Rafael standing in the doorway."Rafael?" asked Maxime in a hesitant voice. "What are you doing here?"Rafael stepped in uninvited, his eyes sweeping the room quickly before finally looking at Maxime and their father. "I heard that Dad can talk again," he said in a flat tone. "I wanted to see for myself."Maxime felt the tension rising. "Yes, Dad is recovering," he replied carefully. "But why did you come all of a sudden?"Rafael looked at their father who looked awkward in his bed. "I just wanted to make sure that all this was right. And also, I wanted to know what your next plan was."Maxime let out a long breath. "Rafael, we're just trying our best for Dad. I'm working hard to make sure he gets the care he deserves."Rafa
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 25
In the chaos, her father managed to remove the cloth gagging her mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Help!!!" His desperate voice echoed, breaking the silence of the night and waking up the previously sleeping citizens.Maxime, who was lying on the floor with bruises on his face, heard his father's cry. His spirits rose instantly, replacing the pain in his body. With what was left of his strength, he got up slowly, trying to resist the dizziness that blurred his vision. He knew that he had to act quickly.Outside, the cries had aroused the residents' concern. One by one, the house lights began to come on, and within minutes, a crowd of people flocked to Maxime's house. They carried torches, sticks, and anything else they could use to protect themselves. The villagers knew very well that tonight they had to unite against the incoming threat.Rafael's men, who initially felt superior and untouchable, now began to panic at the wave of people approaching with determination. They r
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 26
Maxime stood transfixed, his feelings mixed. How could Rafael be his biological brother? This thought made him angry and disappointed with his father, Neo, whom he had considered a role model.With heavy steps, Maxime headed home. Arriving home, he immediately looked for Neo who was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper."Neo," Maxime called out firmly, without the usual "Dad" greeting. Neo lowered his newspaper and looked at Maxime with a furrowed brow."What's wrong, Max?" he asked."Is it true that Rafael is your biological son?" Maxime asked directly, without preamble. His voice shook between anger and sadness.Neo was silent for a moment. "Who told you?" he asked slowly."Just answer, is it true?" Maxime insisted.Neo took a deep breath. "Yes, it's true. But it happened before your mom died. I didn't know how to tell you..."Maxime felt like the world was crumbling. Without another word, he turned around and ran out of the house. He sped up his bike, heading for the pl
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 27
Maxime returned to Neo's rented house to avenge his mother's pain on Neo. With his heart still filled with anger and resentment, he walked with firm steps towards the door. However, when he opened the door, Maxime was shocked and disgusted. Neo's body lay limply on the floor, covered in maggots and a pungent stench.Maxime's tears broke out seeing his father's terrible condition. All resentment and hatred instantly vanished, replaced by regret and deep sadness. "Dad..." he whispered bitterly. Carefully, he approached Neo and embraced his frail body."Tjoe used to come here to bring food and bathe Dad, but he hasn't come for a week now," Neo said in a weak and pained voice.Maxime's tears continued to flow as he carried his father's body to the bathroom. Lovingly, he cleaned Neo's body of disgusting dirt and maggots. Every time his hands touched his father's skin, Maxime felt a deep sense of guilt. "I'm sorry, Dad," he said repeatedly between sobs.After cleaning Neo's body, Maxime lai
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 28
Maxime and Tjoe rode their bikes so casually, neither of them realized that danger was lurking around them."Apparently Rafael is that weak!" Tjoe muttered dismissively."Physically he's a bit weak, but when it comes to instigating, don't ask. Even people who just know him will believe what he says," Maxime said."Including me, who believed Rafael too much and ruined our friendship," Tjoe muttered.Suddenly Maxime's motorcycle was hit by a car from behind and they both fell down."Damn, do they have no eyes to hit us on the side of the road?" grumbled Tjoe."Patience Tjoe, we mustn't be provoked by emotions, the brakes might fail," said Maxime.Maxime and Tjoe got up and brought their bikes to the side, but Rafael's men got out of their car and beat Maxime up. Tjoe tried to help Maxime, but the enemy's numbers and strength were greater. Within minutes Maxime and Tjoe were lying on the ground, in pain and helpless."We'll take them now!" said one of the men. The semi-conscious Maxime a