Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

On the other end of the line, Brielle was unaware of his turmoil. Worried that Spencer, who had fallen asleep, might wake up, she inquired, “Anything else, Mr. Dorsey?” she asked, implying that if there was nothing more, they could end the call.

Max cradled the glass of whiskey in his hands, feeling waves of darkness threaten his vision. He had never experienced such a physical response before, and his emotions ebbed and flowed with the tide. He was worried that if he said a few more words, he wouldn’t be able to resist asking about other things. Upon hearing her question, he fought against the dizzying sensation and abruptly hung up.

Brielle, hearing the disconnect tone, was slightly puzzled, but she had more pressing matters to attend to, like making sure Spencer remained securely tied up. She wound the rope around him a few more times, ensuring that even in a lucid state, he’d be unable to break free.

After securing Spencer, she marched into the bathroom and filled a basin with water, splashing it over his head in a sudden deluge.

Spencer came to, groggy and disoriented, and realizing he was bound, panic set in. “Brielle. what on earth are you doing?”

A sly smile crept across her face. “Come on. You can’t possibly think that I came to the hotel because I really wanted to sleep with you.”

Spencer’s face darkened, his pride hurt as he tested his bonds, finally exploding in anger. “What are you trying to pull? If you’re trying to win me back, this isn’t the way. Just behave, and I can still take you back.”

“Slap!”

Brielle slapped him right across the face. “Shut your mouth!”

Spencer turned his head in shock, unable to believe what had just happened. It was only when the delayed pain registered that he looked back at Brielle, his eyes filled with disbelief. Brielle had wanted to give him that slap ever since the Hatfield family banquet, and now she finally had her chance. “Keep quiet, and you might avoid a few more slaps,” she warned.

Spencer’s eyes welled up with a sense of hurt, as almost all the humiliations he had experienced from childhood to adulthood came from Brielle.

Brielle snatched up his phone, found Ryan’s number, and shot a video of Spencer in his trussed–up state, sending it directly to Ryan. After sending the video, she stuffed a cloth into Spencer’s mouth and turned off his phone.

She knew that patience was key when dealing with hot soup–you can’t rush it, and the same went for dealing with Ryan.

Meanwhile, Max, after ending the call, rubbed his throbbing temples. Kenzo noticed his friend’s distress and pushed a drink towards him. “Waiting for Andrew has got you on edge, huh?”

Max didn’t respond, his pallor giving away his discomfort.

“Max, are you feeling alright?”

The world around Max continued to sway, and even Kenzo’s face began to blur. Kenzo had no choice but to contact Patrick, and together they helped Max to the car, intending to head for the hospital

Patrick drove, flooring the gas pedal, while Max leaned back, his face growing paler by the second. After a long silence, he murmured. “What does it mean to love someone?”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Kenzo, who had just gotten off the phone with Andrew, informing him they were taking Max to the hospital was taken aback by the question.

What was loving someone? In their circle, it was a question seldom asked, a question both superficial and profound. Some might never find out in their lifetime.

“Perhaps it’s like Andrew with Tessa, with no principles involved?”

Max rubbed his forehead, fighting the pain. “Is that so? Then I guess what I feel isn’t love.”

At least he had his principles with Brielle. Knowing she was meeting Spencer, possibly rekindling old flames, he forced himself not to dwell on it. If she cared for someone else, why should he interfere? In the beginning, hadn’t she clung to him out of revenge against Spencer?

Unbeknownst to Max, Brielle had switched out the contents of the medicine bottle. From his perspective, she had poisoned him. And now, his body was indeed rebelling.

Even with the knowledge of her harming him, when he saw her about to sip the porridge, he couldn’t‘ bring himself to stop her. So this wasn’t love after all.