Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Aubree caught the sadness etched on his face, the crumbling of his composure, and let out a soft, unexpected chuckle. 

She rolled over pinning him beneath her, “What’s wrong? Don’t like it? When Tessa had people treat me like trash, I thought you were behind it. After all, you and those guys are all the same, calling me a slut at every turn.” 

For a moment, Andrew seemed unable to comprehend her words, seeing only her lips moving. His vision began to blur, and the vile words seemed to smash through screens and time itself, breaking his bones one by one. 

The pain was so intense he wished for oblivion. His arms involuntarily wrapped around Aubree, his shoulders were shaking, and his whole body quivered. 

Aubree saw his agony and miraculously stopped feeling her own pain. It turned out that not only joy needed to be shared, but so did suffering. 

Andrew buried his face in her neck. This tall man sobbed silently. His tears splashed onto her skin, holding her tight as if she would vanish. 

Aubree just listened to the sound of his crying, her gaze sweeping across the rooms swathes of color, feeling both amusement and madness. She wasn’t content suffering alone in hell so Andrew and Tessa could join her. 

Andrew’s hands were weak, and his grip loosened as he trembled and tried to dress her piece by piece, but his hands shook too violently. Even such a simple task was beyond him. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Aubree sat on the edge of the bed, her expression blank. So this was what Andrew looked like when he cried. She watched him collapse to his knees, clutching at her legs. He was weak all over He should have destroyed the TV, but he couldn’t stand, only able to hold her legs and weep with suppressed grief. 

Taking a deep breath, Aubree pushed his head away, her voice steady. “If you’re not going to do anything, I’m leaving.” 

She dressed quietly but heard him plead, “Don’t go.” 

“Andrew, tonight was supposed to be you and Tessa’s wedding night.” 

He looked up at her, his face streaked with tears. “Why didn’t you say anything before? Why did you keep silent?” 

Aubree smiled slightly, squatting down to meet his gaze. “Because I wanted to see you marry someone like Tessa. I thought it’d be fun to watch you torment each other. Two people I despise are finally together and bound to tear each other apart. You and Tessa are the ones who belong in hell.” 

Andrew sat on the cold floor, feeling each word she spat out like a blade. Finally, he coughed, tasting blood, and when he wiped his mouth, his fingertips came away red… 

Aubree watched with satisfaction, even pausing to smile at the TV. 

Andrew scrambled to his feet, pulling her into an embrace and covering her eyes. “Don’t look, please don’t.” 

“How can I not? Tessa sends me the video every day!” 

Her tone was indifferent, and while she could feel his pain and trembling, it wasn’t unbearable. She inhaled deeply, pushing him away. “I chose your wedding night to tell you, hoping you’d like this gift. I’m leaving now, and this time, I’m seriously telling you, it’s over between us.” 

“It’s not over for me” Andrew said stubbornly, his swollen eyes meeting hers, realizing how cruel he had been. 

How much pain had he caused her by repeating the same words as the men in the video? How much pain had she felt when he defended Tessa, the instigator, right in front of her? Perhaps his current anguish couldn’t compare to even a fraction of hers. 

Aubree truly didn’t want to stay any longer, stepping towards the stairs to leave. In a fit of rage, Andrew smashed the TV with a vase and then grabbed her from behind. “Aubree, don’t be like this.” 

His words were cut short as the living room door swung open. There stood Tessa, still in her bridal gown, but witnessing her newly wedded husband clinging to Aubree, his posture almost servile.