Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Aubree wiped the corner of her mouth, her fingertips stained with blood. Andrew, holding her close, shivered as he tightened his grip around her. Desiree, gripping her cane, swung it furiously, shaking with anger.noveldrama

"You're clearly not from a respectable family, acting so shamelessly! Strutting around like that, why not just work in a brothel? I was against you marrying Andrew from the start because your looks scream trouble, like a siren luring men!" When news of Aubree and Andrew's relationship broke, the Clements family wasn't happy. But Andrew's dedication to family matters over the past year helped quiet the critics, and they begrudgingly accepted the idea of their marriage. Now, hearing rumors of Aubree's infidelity, Desiree couldn't hold back, unleashing a storm of insults on Aubree. "Shameless! Get out! How could the Clements family have someone like you! Andrew, let her go!"

Andrew held Aubree even tighter, taking the blows meant for both of them. In that moment, he truly felt Aubree's despair and her disillusionment with the family.

Aubree, though in pain, stayed silent until Desiree stopped. Only then did she wipe away the blood from her mouth. "Grandma."

She spoke, then turned to face the curious onlookers who had gathered in the hallway. They were part of their social circle. Even though there were only a few, it was enough to humiliate her.

Yet, she faced Desiree with an unsettling calm. "Do I need to carve a symbol of purity on myself, stay untouched for Andrew, to be worthy of him?" Her voice trembled towards the end. Andrew, tears in his eyes, clung to her. "Aubree, please stop."

But Aubree pushed him away, the weight of her pain clear. She let out a bitter laugh. "My so-called purity was shattered long ago. If you want Andrew with a 'clean' woman, that's not me. I've had enough. Just now, with someone else, that's

So, keep Andrew away frWho I am.

me

from now on."

Desiree was shocked by Aubree's defiance, trembling with rage. "You're despicable!"

Aubree smiled wryly. "True, I won't deny it. I don't deserve Andrew. It's all my fault."

Andrew wrapped his arms around her waist, biting his lip hard. "Stop, Aubree, I'm begging you."

Aubree felt a deep, tearing discomfort, as if her heart was being ripped open. She opened her mouth to continue but felt as if her throat was blocked.

Everyone seemed to think she

should remain chaste for Andrew,

but why? They were never officially a couple. Why couldn't she change her heart after loving a man for so many years? Was it really so scandalous

to move on and love someone else?

She believed she had done nothing wrong in her relationship with Andrew. She even kept her feelings in check, never letting herself hate him, just tired and wanting it to end. Was that so wrong?

Is it true that after genuinely loving

someone for over a decade, you're not allowed to love someone else? She admired Matthew, and yes, he was attractive. She envied his life, and that night was a moment of weakness.

Such a beautiful place, such a young man, and even the howling wolves outside-she didn't regret it. Why should one night with Matthew earn her a slap? She truly didn't understand.