Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Brielle finally relaxed after Dustin's comforting words, putting her worries about Sarah to rest.

Lying in bed, she couldn't seem to find sleep, tossing and turning restlessly. Frustrated, she got up, threw on a sweater, and wandered over to the study. Max was still on a remote call, but Brielle had no clue which company he was talking to this time. Noticing her approach, Max quickly closed his laptop. "Brielle, about the baby..."Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

It was the third time today he had tried to bring up the subject, but each time, Brielle had skillfully changed the topic.

Brielle had heard the doctor's concerns about her health. She was still in the dark about the birth control pills, so she held onto the belief that she could safely deliver the baby, thinking Max's worries were solely about the risk to both her and the child.

For many women with frail health, childbirth was akin to a brush with death. Brielle, less than two months pregnant, was already experiencing severe symptoms, rapidly losing weight. If this continued, she feared she would only grow weaker.

She moved closer to Max, leaning in to grasp his hand.

"Max, I'll eat well, get plenty of rest. You have to believe me, my health isn't the problem."

Her palm rested on the back of his hand, her eyes filled with hope. She was finally ready to face the topic of the baby head-on, yet she stubbornly believed she could carry it to term.

Max couldn't bring himself to tell her about the birth control pills-it would only distress and anger her. Right now, he needed to keep her emotions steady. The doctor had warned about Brielle's tendency to brood. Considering all she had been through, compounded by recent events, it was no wonder she was anxious.

Max quickly pulled her close, gently patting her back, but his heart ached. Despite countless check-ups, the prognosis remained the same-the baby couldn't be kept.

He cared too deeply for Brielle. Even if the child had a chance of surviving, he wouldn't risk her life on such slim odds.

"Brielle, listen to the doctor."

"Since when are doctors always right? You know about those previous paternity tests I had..."

Brielle had hit a mental dead end, convinced that the hospital was unreliable, that everyone was out to harm he baby. Growing up in an orphanage, Brielle yearned for complete family, making her somewhat obsessed with keeping the baby.

Max couldn't feel anger towards her, only overwhelming sorrow. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his eyelashes casting a veil over his grief.

"There will be other chances for us. If you want a family, we can get married right away."

"Max, I'll agree to anything but this baby matter."

Brielle looked down, tenderly caressing her belly. She couldn't feel any movement inside yet, just the occasional wave of nausea. But this sense of blood connection brought her peace. She softened her tone, nestling into his embrace.

"I won't let anything happen to me."

Max stroked her back in silence, unable to voice the three-year secret of the birth control, unwilling to add to her emotional burden. The child was fated to be a wedge between them. He couldn't blame Brielle, If a woman's pregnancy could be deemed a mistake, then such blame should be shared by the man. Due to innate physical differences, women bear greater harm, and his

negligence had led to this

predicament.

"Tired? Let's sleep."

Cradled in his arms, Brielle mistook his words for agreement, a soft warmth lighting her eyes. With his comfort, she fell asleep without the usual restless tossing and turning. But in a drowsy haze, she heard Max making a call in a heavy tone. She couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality, too exhausted to delve deeper, and she surrendered to sleep.