Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Max could be honest with anyone about his relationship with Brielle, but with Martha, it was a different story.

Martha was on new medication, and the doctors had warned that she couldn’t handle any shocks. Spilling the beans now could exacerbate her condition and render all their efforts futile.

She looked pale, her grip on Alivia’s hand gentle but firm. “I called Alivia over to keep me company,” she said, patting her hand. “She asked if you’d be coming by. Max. Have you two had a falling out?”

Max frowned but kept his temper in check. “You’ve had your shot, Mom. You should rest.”

Martha lay in bed, her thoughts wandering. If things kept going this way, Brielle and Max might even have a child before she knew it. And she would never allow such an illegitimate child to exist.

“Max, promise me,” she said, her eyes betraying a hint of madness. “My grandchild can only be born to Alivia. No one else is worthy.”

Max saw her on the brink of an episode and gently patted her back. “Mom, rest now. We’ll talk about this later.” Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Martha was not easily placated, but the meds were overpowering, and drowsiness swept her. Her fingers still clung to a corner of Max’s shirt.

over

Once she was asleep, Max looked up at Alivia, who appeared calm but was actually clutching her fingers tightly. The nail marks from the night before were still visible on her palm, throbbing with pain, but it was this pain that kept her alert.

“Max, I’m sorry.” Alivia said, her eyes reddening as she looked up at him. “Have my actions lately disgusted you?”

Max remained silent, curious about what she was trying to convey.

Alivia took a deep breath, her gaze earnest. “I’m not a good person. We’ve grown

grown up in this circle, knowing that if we want something, we fight for it. My goal since childhood was to marry you. So, for Brielle, who came out of nowhere, I can’t welcome her.”

“I heard she was pregnant, and you didn’t even know about the child. This makes me despise her even more. To me, she’s no different from those women trying to rise through social classes using their children. That’s why I’ve been looking for ways to push her out, and I’ve done some foolish things.”

As she spoke, her voice choked up. “We’ve known each other for over a decade. I’ve been chasing your shadow since we were kids. Even if I can’t be with you, I’ve always treated you like family. I believe Brielle isn’t good enough for you, which is why I went to such lengths to drive her away. But now I understand that someone like you has never cared about status or

position. So, I want to apologize to you. If possible, I’ll apologize to Brielle, too. I called her today. I don’t know if she told you, but I invited her for afternoon tea, wanting to apologize in person, but she hung up on me.”

Her eyes fell, her demeanor sincere. “From now on, I will genuinely wish you the best, and I should try to move on myself. Jaired is coming back soon, right? I promised to consider him, so you don’t have to avoid me.”

Her words were full of humility, and she expressed concern that Max might’ve been making a mistake with Brielle and had resorted to unsavory tactics out of worry.

As for Alivia calling Brielle, Max was right there when it happened, and he was the one who ended the call, so he knew Alivia wasn’t lying. Whether she had really seen the light or was playing a calculated game, Max couldn’t tell.