Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Brielle didn't plan to ask Andrew. She noticed that Aubree's wounds had already been tended to. "What happened?"

Looking slightly resigned, Aubree raised a hand to rub her forehead. "Just took a tumble while filming, scraped up a bit, that's all." Brielle asked the doctor to make sure the wounds weren't deep and breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared the crap out of me."

The last thing she wanted was more news about Aubree getting hurt.

She had driven there with her fingers trembling on the wheel. Thankfully, it was only a minor injury.

Aubree didn't say a word, but she understood why Brielle was acting this way. Both of them were haunted by the memories of that night - one pretending not to care, and the other pretending they could help each other move on. In truth, neither had moved on.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Brielle's legs were still shaky, and after taking a deep breath, she patted Aubree's shoulder. "Where's Ricardo? Have you two eaten dinner?"

"Ms. Haywood."

No sooner had she spoken than Ricardo's voice came from outside, his hands carrying a bag of medical supplies.

Brielle nodded. "Let's head back, Aubree, skip filming tonight. I know it's just a scratch, but don't push yourself."

Aubree agreed.

The three of them walked out, naturally bumping into Andrew.

He had been leaning against the wall and straightened up instantly upon seeing them. Anxious about a sharp retort from Aubree, he turned away, rasping, "I was just passing by."

His fingertips dangled by his side. When Aubree had fallen, he had rushed to cushion her fall, and his hand had been pierced by sharp glass. He just kept his injured palm against his trousers, the fabric soaking up the blood, leaving no trace on the ground. His face was tinged with pain, yet he seemed numb, pursing his lips and deliberately avoiding Aubree's gaze.

Aubree frowned, oblivious to his injury. "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong next time." She didn't need Andrew's rescue, preferring to take the fall herself.

Andrew felt a pang in his chest. His breathing was erratic, but he still didn't dare look at her.

Afraid that the disgust in her eyes would pierce through him, he chose to flee.

"Yeah." He murmured, his eyes reddening with unshed tears.

Aubree didn't notice his distress. She followed Brielle and Ricardo into the elevator.

Ricardo, however, cast a lingering glance at Andrew. He chose to silent.

Brielle had wanted Aubree to stay with her at Pearl Estate that night. Aubree's house was sold, and she was temporarily staying with the crew. However, Aubree insisted on returning to the set, mentioning Ricardo had scenes to shoot that evening. Unable to persuade Aubree otherwise, Brielle drove them back to the set.

When Brielle returned to Pearl Estate, it was eleven at night.

She heard Max's voice from inside as she was about to insert the key into the lock. "Is he okay?"

"Let's keep this from Brielle for now."

Max was fuming and not quietly.

Brielle stood still, but Max seemed to hear her and quickly approached, pulling the door open with a sudden tender tone. "What took you so long?"

Brielle bit her lip, too exhausted to think, almost ready to collapse on the spot.

Her mind was replaying his earlier words. Who was being saved? And why couldn't she know?

She tried to look up at Max, who, for the first time, seemed evasive. "Brielle, go take a shower."

Her mind felt numb as she mechanically moved towards the bathtub, unaware of how she even got there.

Max wiped her down and helped her dress.

Brielle was dazed, wondering why he wasn't at the sanatorium-why was he back tonight?

As she lay in Max's arms that night, for the first time, her sleep was restless. She tossed and turned and barely managed to drift off, only to dream of the orphanage fire

She remembered the orphanage had caught fire, destroying many records. She couldn't recall the specifics of that day, but tonight, some details came back to her.

Before the fire, she and another little girl were inside, sorting files because Mark had a bad back and struggled with the task daily. So, she and the other girl had volunteered

Sweat beaded on Brielle's forehead. Even in her dream, she was unsettled.

It was hot, scorching.

The little girl had been trapped under a beam trying to save her.

"Go, or we'll both burn. We're unwanted kids, but you can knit gloves. You're better than me.

"I overheard them talking... I went back home secretly. Apparently, my last name is Fox.

"If I die, no one would grieve, but if you die, who would make scarves and gloves?"

In the dream, Brielle tried hard to recall more details, but all she could remember was a snippet from the hospital.

"The other girl's gone. This one's

alive, with no injuries. She's just shocked and babbling. The body triggers its own defense

Vol

mechanisms. If she wakes up not remembering, don't talk about the dead girl in front of her."