Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1123

When King woke up, he found himself sprawled across Brielle's lap. Brielle was lost in a book, her eyes scanning the pages intently. Nearby, Isaac and Noir were watching them, their expressions a mix of curiosity and jealousy. King glanced at the wall clock-it was already 10 PM. He hadn't meant to nap so long, but it was the most restful sleep he'd had in years.

"Hey Brielle, let's hit the hay," he suggested, his voice carrying a comforting undertone.

Before Brielle could reply, Isaac stood up, his voice firm with childlike finality. "Daddy, I wanna sleep with you."

King's face darkened. Sometimes this kid was just too much. Ignoring his father's glare, Isaac turned to Brielle, "You sleep by yourself."

Brielle couldn't hide her relief, and King's mood seemed to turn even stormier, his irritation palpable.

Realizing she might have overplayed her hand, Brielle quickly added, "Maybe that's not the best idea. King, you're not feeling well. I should stay with you, just to take care of you."

I can take care of Daddy. You

mood momentarily lifted at Brielle's offer, only to plummet again

head upstairs," Brielle said, standing up, her legs numb from being

me," Isaac demanded, his eyes a mix of challenge

on Brielle, who pretended not to notice and headed to a different room. After she closed the door, the faint sound of a spanking and Isaac's yelp could be heard. Isaac rubbed his bottom, tears welling up

come back to their room, but the door stayed shut. With no other choice, he took Isaac back to his room, the boy

making a secret call to Dustin, asking him to dig into her exchange student days. Despite King's objections, she felt she had the right to know if something

the comforting embrace she'd grown used to. The

tossing and turning

to close her eyes. In the middle of the night, she felt the door gently open and someone tiptoe in. The bed dipped as they lay beside her, and soon, that familiar, octopus-like hug enveloped her, bringing an immediate sense