"Max, I am a changed person. I swear."
-------------
Maximillian had just returned from walking Rex when Florian greeted him at the doorway.
"I am a little worried about Julian," he said, concern lacing his voice. "It is already 7 PM, but he hasn't returned yet."
Maximillian ushered Rex into the house in a soft voice.
"It's fine," he said. "Julian had something to do after work."
Something that you know nothing about, Florian thought to himself.
In this regard, Maximillian remained unchanged from three years ago. As long as he was convinced about his partner's safety, he held unwavering faith in his partner's loyalty and never intruded on their activities. Perhaps it stemmed from his own inability to offer full transparency about his whereabouts. After all, fairness dictated a mutual respect for privacy.
Forget that.
