Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The pain of an impending appendectomy was looming, but Brielle was already in agony. convinced that she was with child. Her refusal to take the prescribed birth control pills at the sanatorium was a testament to her fear of harming the unborn child.

Too bad, this woman would never bear a child.

Spencer, nearby, had caught on to Alivia’s plan. It was sinister and yet perfect. If they could make Brielle believe that she had lost the child, how could she ever face Max the same way

again?

At that moment, Spencer found Alivia terrifyingly ingenious. He turned to look at her, only to find her face still wearing a mask of gentleness. “I’m just talking nonsense. Maybe we should drop it,” she said.

Relief washed over Spencer, but the seed of a devastating idea had been planted. “We’ll do as you suggested,” he said, already plotting. “But on whom shall we pin the blame for the loss of the child?”

Who could they make Brielle hate enough to maximize her suffering and drive a wedge between her and Max?

Alivia lowered her gaze, knowing it couldn’t be Max himself. Their relationship was at a critical point, and any heart–to–heart could unravel the devious plan.

But to pin the blame on Martha suggested she had forced Brielle to miscarry in secret, without Max’s knowledge–that could work. Brielle would be cornered and unable to take her grievance to Max without risking the delicate balance between him and the Dorsey family.

Alivia’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Why not blame Auntie Martha? Brielle just visited her yesterday.”

A brilliant opportunity. Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Spencer lit up with malicious glee. “Yes, that’s the ticket!”

Meanwhile, Brielle was oblivious to their scheming. Her pain was persistent and seemingly endless until a shot of medication brought her relief.

With the plan in motion, Alivia decided to leave. Her presence was no longer necessary. Spencer, however, couldn’t leave Brielle’s side, now realizing her pallor was due to an inflamed appendix. He paced outside anxiously, then noticed a new message on Brielle’s phone from Max.

His hand trembled at the thought of Max’s wrath if he knew Spencer was the one replying. [Still asleep? Open up,] the message read.

Startled, Spencer shot up from his seat. Hadn’t Sydney been tasked with deterring Max? How had he still sought out Brielle and was now outside her door?

11:48

Spencer hastily typed a reply to buy some time. [Out to dinner, feeling a bit queasy.)

Upon reading this, Max naturally retrieved his keys and entered her room with an air of familiarity.

The room was tidy. The soup and side dishes from breakfast were still on the table. Having been up all night, Max was exhausted and settled onto the couch, resting with eyes closed. He regretted leaving Brielle alone the night before. Some things, he realized, could only be resolved face–to–face, and sometimes, a hug was more potent than any words could ever be.

Surrounded by Brielle’s scent, he found a sense of tranquility.

On the other end, the appendix surgery was a minor procedure and was soon completed.

“How long before she wakes?” he asked.

“About half an hour, Mr. Dorsey. Will you stay with her?”

Spencer couldn’t risk it. Brielle’s suspicion would read his every expression.

“Once she’s awake, tell her exactly what I told you.”

The doctors, accustomed to such scenarios, nodded indifferently. “Of course, Mr. Dorsey.”

Spencer left with a heavy heart. His mind toyed with the idea of taking advantage of Brielle’s vulnerability, but she was too weak post–surgery. It would only breed resentment, not affection.

He preferred her fiery resistance, her defiance. It was that spark in her eyes that could set him ablaze.

Eventually, she would be awake in his arms.