Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Three days later, the test results showed Brielle was stable, at least for now. The doctor wheeled her into a regular ward, and for the first time in days, Max felt the tension in his body start to ease. But then came the pounding headache and the all-over ache that made him feel like he'd been hit by a truck.

Blinking to clear the sting from his tired eyes, he dragged himself to the ward. Seeing Brielle's pale face lying there, all his previous pain seemed like nothing compared to the gut-wrenching agony he felt now.

Patrick walked in and saw Max looking like he'd been through hell-bloodshot eyes, stubble on his chin, and his hand gripping Brielle's like he'd never let go.

"Any updates?" Max asked, his voice tight, still gently rubbing Brielle's hand.

Patrick hesitated before finally whispering, "It was Mrs. Barnes. She kept you busy that night and sent someone to mess with Ms. Brielle, so..."

The Barnes family was deeply intertwined with the Dorsey family. Max was friends with Kenzo, so even though Mrs. Barnes had crossed a line, retaliating against the Barnes family would be a big deal. Patrick's mind was a whirl of concerns, but then Max asked, "What about Alivia?"

eyes flashed with undisguised disgust at the mention of her. He kissed Brielle's palm, trying to use her touch to chase away the loathing gnawing at

a few drinks.

fury. Max's anger was always quiet, like now, as he calmly picked up

bit long, and Max had been diligently cleaning cher hands these past few days. Her palm was much smaller

by a

the trash. His eyes were dark and intense, a cold air around him that felt like

"tell the media that Alivia and Kenzo aren't actually Barnes family children. Let the Barnes family deal with that

body cold with shock. But if

hands were clean

away the scent of blood, but he couldn't erase the fear inside him. He couldn't go through it

He couldn't bear to see her lying there,