Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Max's pupils constricted, his fingers halting mid-air.

Michael had already spotted the hand at the door, and a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "Figured it out? You finally decided to rescue James?"

Brielle cast her gaze down, forcibly swallowing the taste of copper in her mouth as anger swept through her, compelling her. In this moment, she had to compromise. She couldn't beat the Dorsey family, nor could she beat Michael.

"Yes, just like you said, Mr. Dorsey, me being with Max was just to get back at the Dorseys. Spencer held me back for a decade, and his mother only saw me as a stepping stone for Spencer to secure his place at Dorsey International. My fling with Max was a jab at the Dorsey's pride, but now I see clearly. So, please, Michael, show some mercy."

"Weren't you in love with Max before? You even humiliated yourself in the lounge, trying to wreck his wedding with Alivia."

Brielle's lashes fluttered, her emotional defenses nearly crumbling.

Max was her forbidden fruit, the one she had to stand on her toes to pluck, thinking she'd never let go. But who else could bear the burden of the Fox family's tragedy? Who else could carry Mark's fate?

He was defying the Dorseys to be with her, defying his mother's expectations to be with her. Max was so perfect it left her speechless.

But what could she do when someone had already sacrificed so much for her? She couldn't let the entire Fox family pay the price, could she?

The debt she owed the Foxes was already too vast. Even her life couldn't balance the scales.

of my league, and if he chose me, everyone who

but are you sure you won't regret this? What

of her lips. "It was

across Michael's face as he turned to the doorway. "Max, did you hear

his brain, tugging at his nerves painfully. When Brielle wanted to charm someone, it was

couldn't fathom how words could be both

felt a sadness

the

moment Brielle sensed Max's presence, her back tensed, but now she began to relax, turning

"Brielle!"

wrist. Had she gone

must be lying. It must've all

back tears as she looked up at Max. His eyes were a tumult of disbelief, sorrow, and loss. She had never seen such a storm of emotions in Max's eyes,

he could go back to being the untouchable Max, not

IMS

deep, pushing him away so he