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.

grabbed the tissues from the passenger seat and wiped the moisture from her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she mustered what little rationale she had left and drove to Pearl Estate.

down only to discard him without

all her voids and desires, and

sat on the couch like a zombie, motionless until the evening,

merry-go-round had taken up residence in her head. After splashing water on her face, she opened the door to find Aubree holding beers and late-night

had come over to have a drink with Brielle. With

the door swung open, she saw

voice was hoarse and barely

placed the barbecue bites on the coffee table, and popped the caps off

didn't touch the food or drink and just leaned against

questions. She just laid everything out and turned on the V. "Hey, what do you think of this actress?" she asked, pointing to a

"She's alright."

all glam and glitz. How do you think

a wry smile, "You'd knock

took a satisfied swig of her

on the cake. They do not come through when you really need them." Brielle slowly sat up straighter, taking the cold beer can Aubree handed her. She didn't drink, just held

hugged her knees, rocking her beer

whispered, "I'm the one who