Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Max's pupils constricted, his fingers halting mid-air.

Michael had already spotted the hand at the door, and a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "Figured it out? You finally decided to rescue James?"

Brielle cast her gaze down, forcibly swallowing the taste of copper in her mouth as anger swept through her, compelling her. In this moment, she had to compromise. She couldn't beat the Dorsey family, nor could she beat Michael.

"Yes, just like you said, Mr. Dorsey, me being with Max was just to get back at the Dorseys. Spencer held me back for a decade, and his mother only saw me as a stepping stone for Spencer to secure his place at Dorsey International. My fling with Max was a jab at the Dorsey's pride, but now I see clearly. So, please, Michael, show some mercy."

"Weren't you in love with Max before? You even humiliated yourself in the lounge, trying to wreck his wedding with Alivia."

Brielle's lashes fluttered, her emotional defenses nearly crumbling.

Max was her forbidden fruit, the one she had to stand on her toes to pluck, thinking she'd never let go. But who else could bear the burden of the Fox family's tragedy? Who else could carry Mark's fate?

He was defying the Dorseys to be with her, defying his mother's expectations to be with her. Max was so perfect it left her speechless.

But what could she do when someone had already sacrificed so much for her? She couldn't let the entire Fox family pay the price, could she?

The debt she owed the Foxes was already too vast. Even her life couldn't balance the scales.

"It's fake. I don't really know what love is. I just thought Max was out of my league, and if he chose me, everyone who looked down on me would be green with envy."

"I'll get the police to release James and his entire family, but are you sure you won't regret this? What if Max can't let go of you?"

Brielle looked up, meeting Michael's gaze with a bitter twist of her lips. "It was just a game. He wouldn't care that much."

Satisfaction flickered across Michael's face as he turned to the doorway. "Max, did you hear all that?"

Max didn't speak, his stare burning into Brielle's back as if to see right through her. Her words were like steel pins hammered into his brain, tugging at his nerves painfully. When Brielle wanted to charm someone, it was effortless. When she wanted to hurt someone, it was with a disarming ease.

He couldn't fathom how words could be both sweet as honey and sharp as a knife.

Max felt a sadness like never before.

Michael waved it off. "I promise you, I'll make the call to the station right now. You're free to go."

The moment Brielle sensed Max's presence, her back tensed, but now she began to relax, turning to walk past him.

"Brielle!"

Max's grasp was sudden on her wrist. Had she gone mad to let him go?

She must be lying. It must've all been a lie.

Brielle fought back tears as she looked up at Max. His eyes were a tumult of disbelief, sorrow, and loss. She had never seen such a storm of emotions in Max's eyes, as if only now he was truly flesh and blood.

She had been cruel, pulling him down from his pedestal, and now she wished he could go back to being the untouchable Max, not someone tarnished because of her.

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She was already in too deep, pushing him away so he wouldn't fall any further.

Max's world was clear and bright, tender and dazzling. It was the brilliant galaxy in her heart she had always wanted to protect.

Brielle was filled with guilt, frustration, and self-loathing.

"Brielle, don't break up with me." Max always spoke plainly, his fingertips gripping her wrist tightly.

He stepped closer, his body lightly

pressing against her back. His brows knotted in distress, the corners of his eyes reddening slightly.

"Can't we be together in secret, please?"