Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

“I told her first thing in the morning that I had a thing for Brielle, and she wished me well.” NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

The words fell from the lips of the man Alivia adored, and with them, he effortlessly cast her into the abyss. His tenderness for Brielle was matched only by his cold–heartedness towards Alivia.

Alivia felt as though countless daggers had pierced her heart. It turned out that Brielle wasn’t the one being figuratively slaughtered; it was her.

She wanted to laugh and cry, her fingertips quivering more and more violently. Max was cruel, stripping her of her dignity without a second thought, laying down the red carpet for Brielle.

Alivia’s breath grew hot, her gaze bloodshot.

Her mind thundered with the noise of her shattered pride. In her twenty–something years of life, she had never felt such humiliation. Those looks were like bone–picking knives, threatening to peel away the facade she had so carefully crafted. Her hand, hanging by her side, clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palm, drawing blood.

The thought of her earlier pretense, acting as if she didn’t recognize Brielle, made her wonder whether she looked like a fool in Max’s eyes? The truth hit her; it wasn’t Brielle who was

foolish. It was her.

The beloved always had an air of invincibility, and that was the confidence that drove Brielle to show up tonight.

Alivia might have truly lost her mind if not for the last shred of reason holding her together. She feared that if she stayed even a second longer, her tears would spill uncontrollably.

She had never cried before and always believed that what she wanted, she would have, but she had never imagined her pride would be crushed by the man she loved, without the slightest mercy.

At that moment, the door to the private room was knocked upon. Kenzo walked in, a smile gracing his face. “The elders want Alivia to join them for a toast. Have you all finished your drinks? Sorry, Michael, Mr. Jaxon, Alivia had a couple too many next door. Perhaps she’s spoken out of turn?”

He slowly approached Alivia, reaching out to touch her cheek. “You’re definitely drunk. Let me take you home.”

After saying that, he turned to Brielle and Max. “Brielle, Max, I’m gonna take Alivia off your hands now. Don’t take her words to heart. She actually did lose her rosary, and I guess seeing Brielle with it must have upset her after a few drinks.”

Kenzo’s intervention was his way of defusing the situation. If left unchecked, the night would end in discomfort for all, and perhaps even the Barnes family would be dragged into the fray.

13:21

Blaming it on the alcohol was the best possible excuse.

Supporting Alivia, Kenzo felt her whole body trembling, a sign of her struggle to contain her humiliation and rage. He sighed and gently patted her back, a gesture of comfort.

With Kenzo’s arrival, Brielle lowered her eyes. She knew all too well that this was Kenzo calling in a favor.

Alivia was his sister, and he wouldn’t stand by and watch her be disgraced. That’s why he’d said what he did, and Brielle, remembering the past injuries Kenzo sustained on her behalf, felt compelled to comply. Even though she resented Alivia, even though the jail incident had left her with a grudge, she couldn’t kick up a fuss right now.

She bit her lip, swallowing the words she wanted to say.

Kenzo nodded in thanks and began to lead Alivia away, but at that moment, Michael spoke up. “Max, you and Boatman take Alivia home. Tonight belongs to Spencer and Sophia. Let’s not steal their thunder or give anyone a reason to gossip,”

The patriarch proved his wisdom, not only avoiding confrontation but also expertly shifting the focus, preventing Max from saying anything further. Not forcing Brielle out and not tearing the couple apart publicly was the greatest concession Michael was willing to make.