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

knowing he was trying to make up for things. She didn't really

but Dustin

this isn't about making amends. He's my child too. Unless you plan on telling him his father's dead from day one, we

this trip abroad, I had a brief fling. I don't 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

it was an accident they ended up with a wayward son like him. But no matter how much of a playboy he was before marriage, he never intended to pretend he

sake, we should at least try to get along. Try to understand me,

someone out of her reach. But his words made it clear; he didn't want her to idolize

offering his loyalty in exchange for her

lowered his

and I can't belittle those relationships just to persuade you now. I cared deeply for

promised lightly before. Offering

tried to find a reason to turn him down, but

she might

had once advised her friend Candice to avoid getting involved with