Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1489

Emma didn't even realize Dustin had stood up until he was right by her side, smoothly taking her bag and holding it for her.

Her belly was getting quite round now, and standing for too long made her back ache terribly. Once they settled into the restaurant, she noticed Dustin had thoughtfully reserved a private booth for them. She quickly took off her hat and mask, revealing strands of hair clinging to her sweaty forehead-a sign of just how exhausting her recent check-up had been.

Dustin frowned, feeling a twinge of concern. Is this what all moms-to-be go through?

"How many check-ups have you had?" he asked.

Emma blushed a bit, "Oh, quite a few. My morning sickness has been brutal, and I keep worrying something might be wrong with the baby. My mom didn't have much experience with all this-back in the countryside, prenatal check-ups were rare. If a child was born with issues, well, that was just life. I'm trying to be extra careful, so I go in for a check-up at the slightest discomfort. It's my first time being a mom, and I'm still learning the ropes."

Her words struck a chord with Dustin. Emma was proving to be an attentive mother, while he felt unsure about his role as a father.

"I saw you shopping for baby stuff the other day. Did you get everything?" he asked.

"Not yet. I got a bit flustered when you bumped into me last time. Plus, the morning sickness has been so bad that I've hardly been out," she admitted.

with you after we eat," Dustin

to make up for things. She didn't really need

Lynch-" she began, but Dustin

telling him his father's dead from day one, we need to face this together. What do you think?" he said, serving her a

want to hide anything from you. You see a different world than I do. Right now, everything with you feels new and exciting, but I can't guarantee I won't get bored someday. I can't

family had only one spouse, and his mother always said it was an accident they ended up with a wayward son like him. But no

Try to understand me,

heart skipped a beat. She always thought Dustin was someone she had to look up to, someone out of her reach. But his

loyalty in exchange for

his

yours. I've loved many women, and I can't belittle those relationships just to persuade you now. I cared deeply for each of them. So using my love as a bargaining chip isn't fair because

lightly before. Offering it to Emma for her love seemed like a fair deal,

find a reason to turn him down, but Dustin had a knack for saying

she might have

advised her friend Candice to avoid getting