Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

If Brielle did nothing, she'd probably spend her entire life draped in a shroud of guilt. However, taking action might just be the wrecking ball to her and Max's relationship, possibly leading to a breakup that neither could mend. It was a tug-of-war between heart and conscience, and she felt utterly drained by the emotional battle.

Back in her car, she took a deep breath, reached for a bottle of water to quench her thirst, and noticed a text from Patrick.

Kingston and his wife were behind bars, serving about a five-year sentence.

She harbored no sympathy for Kingston and his wife. Their shady dealings were no secret. However, the thought of James was like a thorn lodged in her throat.

She sat in her car, lost in thought, but couldn't come up with any solution. Defeated, she drove back to Premier Palace.

In the end, she felt too powerless to stand against the Dorsey family.

That night, her sleep was restless again, compounded by the centennial celebration of Beaconsfield College looming over her. She felt adrift and overwhelmed. She had always wanted to be someone capable and strong, but now, it seemed like misfortune befell anyone linked to her.

With hardly any rest for two nights straight, her eyes were bloodshot.

Max was still away, busy with Alivia at the nursing home. Martha seemed to exclusively want Alivia's company.

Why Martha had suddenly wanted to see Brielle the day before was anyone's guess.

Sitting alone in Premier Palace, Brielle was about to scrounge up some comfort food when a visitor arrived an unexpected one, Max's sister, Victoria. "Miss Brielle," she greeted, barely lifting her chin as a sign for Brielle to sit.

Once seated, Brielle saw a card slid in front of her. It was a scenario she had imagined countless times, but she never expected Victoria to be the one to play it out. "What's this about?" Brielle asked, her voice wavering.

"Brielle, Max is caught between a rock and a hard place because of you. It's clear enough that he's avoiding Premier Palace... avoiding you, even if he won't admit it." Victoria's words cut deep into Brielle's heart. It was a truth neither Max nor Brielle wanted to face.

"Max is just taking care of her mother. It's not that he doesn't want to come back," Brielle tried to defend.

"There's seventy million in that

account. It's my own money. I liked

you, Brielle truly did. But the troubles you've brought to Max's door are undeniable. And because of you, my mother is practically comatose. Don't you feel

aNôvelDrama.Org owns this.

shred of guilt? She's you friend's

mother, for heaven's sake."

Brielle hurt her boyfriend's mother and appeared unaffected. Either Brielle had nerves of steel, or she didn't care one iota about Max's feelings.

"I once supported your relationship

with Max, thinking it would bring him happiness. But look at the turmoil in the short span you've been together it's overshadowed his entire life. Can you truly bear to see him torn between family loyalty and ridicule? He was meant to be on a pedestal, shining bright, not dragged through the mud.

"Living with guilt, feeling the weight of the crime every time you think of my mother-how long can you endure that? Let Max go, Brielle. Free him... and free yourself too."

Her tone was detached, pushing the

card closer to Brielle. "Max is

Ine

responsible, and he's probably made promise He won't back down easily It's all on you now. If you truly love him, let him remain the golden boy in everyone's eyes, will you?"

Every word from Victoria pierced Brielle's heart, making her eardrums throb with pain. Was Victoria right? Was Max suffering so much that he couldn't even face coming home? Had she ever really brought him joy in their relationship or only this back-breaking position?