Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

When Brielle and Aubree parted ways, dusk had already painted the sky in shades of fading gold.

Aubree had taken Brielle out to distract her mind, resulting in a haul of outfits and a trove of gleaming trinkets and baubles.

Aubree had always indulged her, so when Brielle returned to Pearl Estate, laden with bags from Hermès and Bulgari, she was too exhausted to utter a single word.

Still, the shadow Max cast lingered in her mind, an enigmatic silhouette spinning in her thoughts.

She splashed her face with water in the restroom, the events of the past few days throbbing in her head like needle pricks.

The identity of the person who had forged her past remained a mystery to her, a puzzle unsolved.

Without uncovering their identity, she felt an ominous plot was waiting for her just around the corner.

Aubree's presence during the day had kept her anxiety at bay, but with the arrival of night, sleep eluded her despite her weariness.

Rising from her bed, Brielle grabbed her car keys and drove straight to the old site of Sunflower Children's Home.

She had meant to visit after settling Mark's affairs, feeling certain secrets still lay hidden there.

In her dreams, the fire had seemed too random, as if it had been deliberately set with the intention of claiming her life.

of another child had saved Brielle, trading their life for

been after Brielle since she was so young,

the land, the building still stood untouched. She slipped in through a window and flicked on the lights. The

It was

save costs. He initially just pasted old

the old papers were stripped away and replaced by

had been moved to the new location, but Brielle had an inkling that

a piece

she reached to

she uncovered a hidden door. Surprise flickered in her eyes as she tore the rest

person at a time. She didn't have to go

and in this cramped space

such a sight in the dead of night, Brielle

woman, surrounded by walls scribbled

handwriting belonged to the two, their

the authorities, then returned to scrutinize the wall scribbles. Time and

written in

"He stole my identity."

"I can't go on."

"I'm dying."