Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1305

King found himself drifting into memories of Brielle. She'd always been somewhat overlooked, had few friends, and was far from home. It seemed like all she wanted was to buy back Premier Palace, right? But the truth was, Premier Palace had never been sold. His reluctance to visit was purely selfish.

Would she be happier knowing Premier Palace was still theirs?

King wasn't sure, but he figured he'd better check with Brielle's best friend tomorrow.

The next morning came.

After making sure everything was set, King gave Isaac detailed instructions to keep a close watch on Brielle. Given her injury, it was crucial she stayed indoors.

Isaac silently walked King to the door, his demeanor calm but attentive.

"Alright, cricket, I'm off then," King said, trying to ease the tension.

Isaac nodded and waved goodbye.

King lingered for ten minutes, feeling uneasy about leaving Brielle alone for the first time in ages. But he knew he had to see Aubree.

Aubree was surprised when King reached out to her. As they sat in the café, her eyebrow arched when King asked his question.

"What did Brielle want most back then?"

She thought for a moment, recalling Brielle's excitement about becoming an exchange student, which coincided with Lillian's birthday party.

Brielle, always top of her class, was the obvious choice for the exchange program. But when she shared her news with the Haywoods, their reaction was lukewarm at best.

"Yeah, yeah, an exchange student, got it. Now, help with these flowers, it's Lillian's birthday."

The Haywood mansion was swathed in flowers, not for Brielle's achievement, but for Lillian's birthday. Brielle's hard-earned opportunity was overshadowed by Lillian's celebration. That night, Brielle turned to Aubree for solace.

"Brie, if you weren't engaged to

Spencer, what kind of guy would you want to be with?" Aubree had asked, already deeply in love with Andrew, despite his lukewarm reception of their first intimate encounter

QUMS

Brielle, bound by her engagement to Spencer, had always kept a respectful distance from other men. She didn't ponder long before answering.

"I'd be with someone who truly loves me."

Her tone was casual, yet her eyes, red from the day's disappointments, hinted at her vulnerability.

Aubree chuckled, "And how would you know if someone loves you?"

"Their eyes," Brielle replied firmly. "Just by looking into their eyes, I can tell if they love me."

Her conviction was tinged with sadness, aware that the Haywoods' adoration for Lillian far outweighed their affection for her.

"Aubree, I'll choose someone who loves me the most because that's the only time I can choose my family."

Her last words were heartbreakingly poignant.

Aubree understood then that the Haywoods' neglect made Brielle yearn for attention she never received, always remaining an

outsider, even to Spencer, her fiancé,

who showed Lillian unwavering

affection.

"I hope to be the exception in someone's life, not just part of the backdrop," Brielle had confided, fearing she might always be overshadowed, even by someone like Lillian.

Now, facing a young Brielle, King

realized she craved attention more than anything else, a stark contrast to his previous belief that she

sought freedom above all, given her pleas for him to let her go.

After sharing these insights, Aubree quietly sipped her coffee, leaving King to his thoughts. In that moment, he deeply resembled Max.

Leaving the café, King mulled over Aubree's words.

"Maybe it's love, attention she wants. She said she'd marry someone who only had eyes for her."

Only had eyes for her?

It dawned on King that he might just be that person.