Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The staff were clearly startled, snapping to attention with uncertainty written all over their faces.

Aubree sighed, stepping into the doorway of the bedroom.

Andrew must've just come back from some event; his suit still clung to him, a few buttons undone, his tie clutched in his hand, and impatience marked across his face.

But the moment he saw Aubree, his grip on the tie tightened, his throat went dry, and his heart clenched.

Aubree stood there with her arms crossed, looking relaxed but defiant.

"I told them to pack up. It's all my stuff."

Andrew had known this day would come. He lowered his gaze, staying silent.

But his commanding presence made the staff hesitate, looking to Aubree for guidance.

Aubree waved them off. "Go on, pack everything I pointed out."

The movers glanced at Andrew, seeing the hardness in his eyes, their lips trembling.

"Miss Aubree, is this really your house? If the owner-"

Aubree rubbed her temples. "Seriously? Do you need a deed to do your job? What about renters?"

After another look at Andrew, the workers quickly resumed packing.

Andrew stood there like he was choking on his words, unable to move or speak.

After a while, he finally managed, "How much? I'll buy it."

Aubree thought she misheard, her brows knitting together.

Andrew repeated, "How much for these things? I'll pay."

Finding the situation absurd, Aubree said, "A billion dollars, you want them?"

"Fine."

pulled out his phone and

a check for

was bewildered; Mr. Clements sounded like he was about to

darkened. She turned to

into the bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush and personal items-clearly not

face, and the bathroom door clicked shut

"Aubree,"

wrapped his arms tightly

her neck but couldn't understand why Andrew

had she followed him? Over

her happiness. When he even slightly frowned, her

the day the Clements family took her in, she had loved

since had been painful, and he had always been noncommittal,

to Tessa Rowland's, sometimes even on

So he

Aubreys with Tessa, and.

reheat the dinner she

thinking he'd come

1het

looked at her

mirror, enveloped in his

almost merging into him.

had bought her a cake, but it had Tessa's name on

trying to

"Aubree,"

voice cracked,

the resentment in

"Enough!"

him away and turned to gather

back, hitting the cold wall, accidentally turning on