Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The pain was so intense it robbed him of breath.

Having tidied up the room, Andrew drew all the curtains and shut the windows, as if by doing so, Aubree's essence would linger a little longer.

He slumped onto the couch, the incessant ring of his phone piercing the silence. It was the Clements family calling, but he had no desire to answer.

A few empty beer bottles lay in the trash can, remnants of the past couple of days' attempts to drown his sorrows.

Sleep evaded Andrew, and he could not invite it. Every time he closed his eyes, that video played in his mind, accompanied by Aubree's pleading cries. Tears welled up in his eyes.

He made his way to the master bedroom, to the bed where they had once been so entwined.

Now, lying there, he felt every cell in his body screaming emptiness. Clutching the comforter to his chest, hugging it close, the misery ebbed slightly.

His phone continued to ring, but he just stared blankly at the ceiling, ignoring its persistent call.

After half an hour, there was a knock at the living room door.

Hope flickered in Andrew's eyes. He even splashed his face with water in the bathroom, trying to slap some life into his listless features.

afraid. Afraid that it really was Aubree at the door, coming to collect her things and then

being ignored or

Marissa's voice from outside. "Andrew, what on earth have you

wasn't Aubree. Relief washed over Andrew, quickly replaced by a profound

knock again, saw the door swing open to reveal Andrew, his eyes red-rimmed. Unaware of what had transpired, she wrinkled her nose

calls. The Clements family elders are concerned. What's gotten into you?" Andrew opened his mouth, the video Marissa and Tessa had mentioned flashing in his mind. Could it be the same one he had seen? His marriage to Tessa, what was

except for him, who foolishly thought

as Andrew's arms limply dropped to his sides. "Mom, I want

slap. "Have you lost your mind? You were

the despair in his eyes faded. Right, he

hand again, threatening

Adam's apple moving in a hard swallow. "Even if you kill me, I'm still

my dead body! If

together, and go to the office. Tessa's at

brow was etched with impatience, She whipped out a compact mirror to touch up

"I've got a tea date with

a child, Andrew. Stop

stowed the mirror back in her purse