Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1280

"Little Canary, why'd you get me a present? Are you, uh," he stammered, swallowing hard and hesitating for what felt like forever, "into me?"

As he forced those words out, he couldn't bear to look at her anymore, feeling like he might just be dreaming.

Brielle's heart skipped a beat, her denial almost instinctive. "What do you think? How could I possibly be into you?"

The first time was in a back alley, and yeah, she was really hurting then. But she didn't push him away, because this was Max, the guy she'd had a crush on since she was a teenager. No matter how he acted, she was smitten. Completely and utterly lost in him. But realizing that his affection might just be fleeting, like a shooting star, brought tears to her eyes. She always knew a few lines of poetry that, every time she read them, made her want to cry.

-What could I possibly give you to keep you? I offer you the empty streets, the despairing sunsets, the moon over the desolate suburbs.

I offer you the sorrow of a man gazing longingly at the moon, alone.

I give you my loneliness, my darkness, the hunger of my heart.

touch you

didn't come back, those lines haunted her. Back in school, people couldn't understand why she found them so moving. She envied those who questioned such feelings. Those who don't understand the self-deprecating nature of love are the

paths with King, she felt imprisoned, controlled. What woman could possibly cherish being treated this way? Admitting her feelings would only confirm her fears of not being quite right in the

resting by her side, trembled

his hands, simply hummed in response, then asked, "It's getting late, wanna call it a

in silence, shutting down her

slow its frantic beating. Hearing footsteps outside, she quickly

eyes, pretending not to hear. King, seeing her unresponsive, silently stood for

of chess pieces laid out in front

the tray with two glasses of milk,

licking his lips, he asked, "Daddy sleep?" Meaning, should he sleep with him tonight to shelter

in the master bedroom. She's still recovering, and there's a bit

good night's

the door. He felt uncomfortable, unsure of how to interact with Brielle. Calling her by her name felt too informal now. And if she found out about his identity, would she think less of King for not raising him well? Yet,