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.

fake. I don't really know what love is. I just thought Max was out of my league, and if

but are you sure you won't regret

a bitter twist of her

turned to the doorway. "Max, did you hear

brain, tugging

words could be both sweet as honey and sharp as a

felt a sadness like never

off. "I promise you, I'll make the call to the station right

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

"Brielle!"

grasp was sudden on her wrist. Had she gone

It must've all been

were a tumult of disbelief, sorrow, and loss. She had never seen such a storm of emotions in Max's eyes, as if

his pedestal, and now she wished he could go

IMS

in too deep, pushing him away so he wouldn't fall