Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Alivia worried that if she stayed any longer, she would be physically sick, so she set down her spoon, her complexion ghostly pale, pretending to sip her soup.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Max had finished eating. Suppressing the howl of frustration and anger that threatened to burst from within, she watched him with a feigned gentleness. "Max, I spoke with the doctor. He said if Martha can hold and just get through the next three days, she'll be out of danger."

By out of danger, she meant no risk to Martha's life. Becoming comatose was all but a certainty.

She broached the subject at this moment as a warning to Max - your thoughts may be with Brielle, but remember, it's Brielle who's driven your mother to the brink of a vegetative state. How can you remain indifferent? Sure enough, she saw Max's fingertips tremble slightly and his eyelashes cast downward.

His skin was too perfect, bathed in the glow of the setting sun. It was too easy to be overwhelmed by the urge to spend a lifetime by his side.

Alivia felt an irrepressible fondness wash over her, further solidifying her resolve that any sacrifice was justifiable for Max.

She was determined to marry into the Dorsey family. Everyone would have to make way for her love.

Hadn't she once masterminded Tessa's successful marriage to Andrew? Surely, what worked for Tessa could work for her as well.

It was just a matter of timing.

Max hadn't yet reached the point of complete disillusionment with Brielle. When he had accumulated enough disappointment, that would be Alivia's moment to strike.

Max said nothing, simply stood up, and headed toward the intensive care unit.

There, he encountered Michael.

once omnipotent patriarch of the Dorsey family looked unexpectedly alone, sitting in the hospital

parents - after all, Michael had had more than one wife, but it was Martha who had

looking suddenly aged. "Max, I've spoken to the doctors. The best-case scenario for your mother is that she remains comatose. I've been thinking, you never should have brought her back to

His mother's condition had been even worse abroad, and it was out of necessity that she had been transferred home, but no

"Don't blame Martha. Everyone

Brielle isn't right

appeal, a softer but

en

furrowed, likely aware of his father's purpose for

Martha, yes, but also to

understand

and it had always been handed to him. But why was it that the one thing he truly wanted on his own

woman everyone made her out to be. On the contrary, she made him feel that

together were more vibrant and more captivating than ever before. His world was no longer just dry numbers and text. It had taken

and couldn't let go of was Brielle,

CEO of

reached this position and became a man above others,

seemed. At his peak, wanting anything meant everyone would try