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.

given her heart and

playing the damsel

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

did, she wanted to be the best.

been a gift from Spencer-what right did

harboring such resentment in her heart, she wore a look of grievance on her face, biting her lips. “Bri, please don’t be

the performance. She

1/3

Chapte

on, held Lillian close, “Bri, what’s

nowhere to live, so I moved into Spencer’s villa in the suburbs. Bri’s

can stay in one. It is no

yours

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

anger. “You’re

her. On the other hand, Lillian, who was always clumsy and had consistently poor grades, was

you’re at it, check how many

the words left her mouth, Miranda’s hand flew across

moved out at eighteen, you all were heartbroken. If that’s the case, I might as well make it a double celebration and leave Spencer to her. After all, you wanted to adopt her as

roared, unable to believe the daughter who

Lillian’s sobs, apologies, and Miranda’s comforting

such things. “I can’t believe Bri would

lost on Brielle as

her dry lips, tasting blood. With a press on

away.

greeting was anything but warm. “Lillian’s missing, Brielle. Did you hassle. her again? I told you, she’s with me because

missing a beat, Brielle

turned with the impact, his chiseled jawline swelling. The