Master of his heart

Chapter 7

Brielle and Lillian indeed grew up in the same orphanage and were as close as sisters.

They celebrated life’s little victories and consoled each other’s defeats as if they were blood. On Brielle’s seventh birthday, a two-year younger Lillian had saved up enough to buy a $13 cake. It was the cheapest of the cheap, the kind of cake where you could still taste the bitterness of economy in the frosting And when Lillian brought it out, clumsy as she was, it tumbled to the ground, a heap of broken dreams.

They sat there, tears mingling with laughter, making a pinky promise-when they had the means, they would feast on the finest cakes and cherish every birthday like a treasure.

So, when the Haywoods found Brielle on her tenth birthday, she didn’t hesitate to bring Lillian along, pleading with the Haywoods to enroll them both in school.

In different classes but never apart, the girls were inseparable. But the corrupting allure of wealth can change a person. Those who once fretted over every meal suddenly found themselves in opulence, and their hearts hardened.

“Miranda, Lillian’s cheeks flushed with guilt, her eyes brimming with tears.

Brielle thought of the used condoms in the car, and the deliberately left lipstick, “Mom, since you like her so much, why don’t you adopt her as your daughter?”

It was a retort made in anger. Yet, a flicker of serious consideration passed through Miranda’s eyes.

Brielle felt a sting of humiliation, sharp as a thorn. She’d forgotten that in this house, Lillian was the golden child. Even the house staff couldn’t stop singing her praises.

too, given her

always playing the damsel with her fragile

Brielle suppressed her anger, feeling as if her mouth was filled with

she did, she wanted to be the best. However, her achievements couldn’t compare to Lillian’s

The villa had been a gift from Spencer-what right

grievance on her face, biting her

desire to watch the performance. She stood up, “I won’t

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Chapte

Lillian close, “Bri, what’s gotten

I

stay in one. It is no big deal. If

yours

Brielle stood tall, her voice steady, “then maybe Lillian

heaved with anger. “You’re becoming more and more

tolerate even the slightest mistake from her. On the other hand, Lillian, who was always clumsy and had consistently poor grades, was

don’t you ask Lillian what she’s done? And while you’re at it, check how many times she’s

moment the words left her mouth, Miranda’s hand

it coming. She touched her swiftly swelling cheek in disbelief, a harsh pain making her bend slightly to cope. A bitter laugh escaped her as she grabbed her bag, “When Lillian moved out at eighteen, you all were heartbroken. If that’s the case, I might

to believe the daughter who had always

sobs, apologies, and

Lillian capable of such things. “I can’t believe

wasn’t lost on Brielle as she clutched her bag,

her car, she licked her dry lips, tasting blood. With a press on

away.

was anything but warm. “Lillian’s missing, Brielle. Did you hassle. her again? I told you, she’s with me because I forced her. If you’ve got a problem, take it out on me, not her. She

a beat, Brielle slapped him

the impact, his chiseled jawline