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.

Aubree at the door, coming to collect her things and then leaving his life forever. Andrew was torn between

in being ignored or ridiculed, but the desire to see

heard Marissa's voice from outside. "Andrew,

quickly replaced by a profound sense

the door swing open to reveal Andrew, his eyes red-rimmed.

have been bombarding me with calls. The Clements family elders are concerned. What's gotten into you?" Andrew opened his mouth, the video Marissa and Tessa

for him, who

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

mind? You were the one who wanted to marry Tessa, and now

and he tasted blood. In that moment, the despair in his eyes faded.

her hand again,

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

my dead body!

tomorrow. Pull yourself together, and go to the office. Tessa's at home crying her eyes out every day. You brought this upon yourself,

with impatience, She whipped out

got a

a child, Andrew. Stop

she stowed the mirror back in her