Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Matthew let out a sigh. "If you're really sorry, just give me a kiss, and all will be forgiven."

Before he could even finish, Aubree had him pinned against the doorframe, kissing him. Matthew's eyes widened at the softness of her lips as her tongue playfully sought entrance. His breath quickened, and he instinctively pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. He wasn't naive; he'd seen his share of the world.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally let her go, only to hear a faint voice behind him. Turning around, he saw a man standing by a car-a mature, charismatic figure who hadn't been there before. He was flicking a cigarette, with several butts scattered at his feet, suggesting he'd been an unnoticed witness to their ten-minute embrace.

Matthew steadied Aubree, watching as the man crushed his cigarette and approached with ease, asking about her purse. "It's in the car," Matthew replied.

Andrew opened the car and found a lady's handbag. He retrieved it, then walked to the door, effortlessly punching in the code. Matthew, noticing his familiarity with the code, frowned. "Who are you?"

Andrew strode closer, taking Aubree under his wing, and said to Matthew, "Just pretend that kiss never happened. She was drunk." His tone implied that it was the alcohol talking, not her heart. Matthew gave him a once-over, a teasing grin on his face. "Uncle, are you her boyfriend?"

Andrew's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. Unfazed, Matthew casually brushed his lips with his fingertip. "Sorry, but I'll remember that kiss forever-it was my first."

Andrew was twenty-eight, and Matthew only eighteen-a decade between them, yet here they stood, locked in a standoff. Andrew felt a panic he'd never known before. Matthew was so young, and Aubree would meet many great men, each younger and more promising. Could he really afford to wait for her to return to him? If she was ready to move on, what was he waiting for?

Feeling deflated yet maintaining a steady gaze, Andrew replied, "Really? Thinking back to my first kiss with Aubree, that was ten years ago."

Matthew chuckled. "Ten years, huh? Maybe it's time for Aubree to try something new, don't you think, uncle?"

As Andrew guided Aubree to the door, he retorted, "Whether she changes her taste isn't your call."

Matthew paused, then added, "I'll be inviting Aubree out for dinner, shopping, movies-you know, young people stuff. You seem busy and not too into these activities, so I won't bother inviting you. Just let her know when she wakes up."

With that, he waved casually, "See you around." Matthew, worldly and confident, was fearless no matter who he faced.noveldrama

Andrew didn't respond, simply

guiding Aubree inside. In the past, if she drank too much, her female manager would bring her home. Now, a stranger had filled that role. Andrew sensed a crisis he'd never felt before. He laid Aubree on the couch and, without hesitation, kissed her deeply, wanting to erase any trace of another man.

He pressed her down, kissing her until she gasped for air, then finally let her go. Aubree, uncomfortable, rubbed her forehead, slowly regaining some clarity. Realizing she was in her own room with Andrew beside her, she touched her Sore lips. Relieved it wasn't darkness she woke up to, she heard Andrew ask, "Who's that young man?"

Aubree frowned, recalling she was supposed to sing with Matthew. "Matthew, Mr. Casey's son, apparently a fan of mine." She smiled weakly, leaning back, her eyes still foggy. "Just eighteen, so young."

She reminisced about being

eighteen herself, witnessing

Andrew's confession to Tessa and his subsequent rejection. Then she confessed to him and gave herself to him, beginning their long-term relationship. Aubree shifted slightly, grabbing a pillow for her head. "I heard he's been traveling the world, something I once dreamed of." With her eyes closed, her eyelashes quivered as she spoke.

Andrew sat beside her, feeling nothing but pain. He had lied to Matthew; his first kiss at eighteen wasn't with Aubree. But everything pure Aubree had, she gave to him.