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.

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.

Max down only to

voids and desires,

couch like a zombie, motionless until the

After splashing water on her face, she opened the door to find

had come over to have a drink with Brielle. With her next scene not until three days later, she could

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

in," Brielle's voice was hoarse and

stepped inside, placed the barbecue bites on the coffee

drink

turned on the V. "Hey, what do you think

"She's alright."

and glitz. How do you think I'd

managed a wry smile, "You'd knock

took a satisfied swig of

They do not come through when you really need them." Brielle slowly sat up straighter,

knees, rocking her beer bottle back

one who did him