Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Emma had been out cold for two days straight, unable to keep any food down. Every time she tried to eat, it just came right back up.

After giving birth to two kids, it felt like she'd lost half her life force. She'd just started to look a bit healthier when she suddenly dropped twenty pounds, losing that vibrant glow she once had. She looked so frail, like she could pass out at any moment. She refused to eat, and Dustin couldn't force it on her, so they had to hook her up to an IV to get some nutrients in her.

Meanwhile, he was overwhelmed, juggling everything else and taking care of their two kids. Even though Emma wasn't eating, Dustin still cooked every day, hoping she might change her mind.

Three days later, Brielle finally stopped by. Seeing Dustin alone in the kitchen, busy as ever, she couldn't help but ask, "Hey, where's Emma?"

Dustin was chopping veggies. "Upstairs with the kids."

Brielle hurried upstairs, finding Emma in the kids' room, sitting there with a vacant look, holding one of the babies. The window was open, letting in a draft.

Brielle quickly shut it. "Emma, you doing okay?"

Emma snapped back to reality, offering Brielle a weak smile after a long pause. "Yeah, thanks for asking, Mr. Haywood."

Seeing how much weight Emma had lost made Brielle's heart ache. But what could she say to ease her pain? This was about losing someone close.

Forget about the

a mess, barely registering what Brielle was saying. Dustin would talk to her every day, but

of her daze. She stood up quickly and rushed over, picking up

was hoping for a cry, just to feel alive. Brielle was at a loss

happened so far from here, and she was always so

his knife. "Driver fatigue. The driver hadn't slept properly in three

the news

media's pointing fingers at Emma,

onto the

that it's

They claim the driver

fame that there's talk of compensation. Emma should steer clear of the internet for a while; it'll

everything, his shoulders slumping. "Brielle, I honestly don't know

be falling apart. Just like when Max was lost in that fire. I couldn't

was just