Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Three days later, the test results showed Brielle was stable, at least for now. The doctor wheeled her into a regular ward, and for the first time in days, Max felt the tension in his body start to ease. But then came the pounding headache and the all-over ache that made him feel like he'd been hit by a truck.

Blinking to clear the sting from his tired eyes, he dragged himself to the ward. Seeing Brielle's pale face lying there, all his previous pain seemed like nothing compared to the gut-wrenching agony he felt now.

Patrick walked in and saw Max looking like he'd been through hell-bloodshot eyes, stubble on his chin, and his hand gripping Brielle's like he'd never let go.

"Any updates?" Max asked, his voice tight, still gently rubbing Brielle's hand.

Patrick hesitated before finally whispering, "It was Mrs. Barnes. She kept you busy that night and sent someone to mess with Ms. Brielle, so..."

The Barnes family was deeply intertwined with the Dorsey family. Max was friends with Kenzo, so even though Mrs. Barnes had crossed a line, retaliating against the Barnes family would be a big deal. Patrick's mind was a whirl of concerns, but then Max asked, "What about Alivia?"

Max's eyes flashed with undisguised disgust at the mention of her. He kissed Brielle's palm, trying to use her touch to chase away the loathing gnawing at him.

"After you left, sir, Ms. Alivia told everyone you two had, well, 'sealed the deal,' and she hoped your father would bless your union. She even said you got a little too friendly after a few drinks. He bought it and approved your marriage to Ms. Alivia on the spot." Rage that had been simmering inside Max started to show. His lips curled into a thin, dangerous smile. "Is that so?"

Patrick stood there, stunned by the sheer force of Max's silent fury. Max's anger was always quiet, like now, as he calmly picked up a nail clipper and started trimming Brielle's nails with meticulous care.

Her nails had gotten a bit long, and Max had been diligently cleaning cher hands these past few days. Her palm was much smaller than his, pale and soft, no longer as cold as that night.

Still, his heart felt like it was being squeezed by a thousand thorns, each one digging deeper into his soul.

After he finished, he wrapped the clippings in a tissue and tossed them in the trash. His eyes were dark and intense, a cold air around him that felt like it could freeze over.

"Patrick," he said in an icy calm voice, "tell the media that Alivia and Kenzo aren't actually Barnes family children. Let the Barnes family deal with that chaos."

Just a few words from Max could ruin the Barnes family. Patrick thought he might be hearing things, his body cold with shock. But if Max said it, it had to be true. Why? What was really going on?

Patrick didn't dare ask. Max was focused on Brielle, still wiping her fingertips with a handkerchief. Her hands were clean enough, but to Max, they were still tainted, as if they were smeared with blood.

He wanted to scrub away the scent of blood, but he couldn't erase the fear inside him. He couldn't go through it again.

His gaze was icy and dark, filled with a brooding intensity. He couldn't bear to see her lying there, silent and vulnerable, anymore.

If they were heading towards disaster, he'd join her in it.

When Patrick left the hospital, his head was buzzing, but he didn't dare disobey Max's orders. He called the press and told them to release the news in half an hour, making sure it would be broadcast everywhere.

Beaconsfield was about to be thrown into chaos.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.