Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Brielle felt as though her heart had crumbled, a void that could never be filled. She looked up, her gaze piercing straight into his eyes.

"I will never forgive you for Mark's passing. Not in this lifetime."

Max's pupils shrank, his heart stopped for a brief moment, and his grip weakened as if he had lost all his strength.

He choked back a silent sob. It was his own disgrace.

Brielle shook off his hand and stormed out with determined strides.

He had lost the courage to chase after her.

Death is irreversible. His selfishness had condemned Brielle to a life of pain.

Max's eyes reddened in an instant, and his lips pressed tightly together like the edge of a knife.

Back in her car, Brielle realized just how violently her hands were trembling. She wanted to slam the gas pedal, but her body felt as limp as overcooked spaghetti.

The more she struggled, the deeper she sank into the mire until she finally slumped over the steering wheel, her shoulders quaking silently.

the moisture from her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she mustered what little rationale she had left and drove to

and vile, dragging Max down only to discard him

to fill all her voids and desires, and now, she chose

on the couch like a zombie, motionless

up felt like a merry-go-round had taken up residence in her head. After splashing water on her face, she opened the door to find Aubree holding

With her next scene not until three days later, she

soon as the door swung open, she saw Brielle's

was hoarse and

barbecue bites on the coffee table, and popped

touch the food or drink and just leaned against the

"Hey, what do you think

"She's alright."

How do you

managed a wry smile, "You'd knock 'em

satisfied swig of

through when you

rocking her beer bottle

one who