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 soul

the damsel

that villa,” Brielle suppressed her

by bringing Lillian back. So, no matter what she did, she wanted to be the best. However, her achievements couldn’t compare to Lillian’s sweet words. In the end, she was the outcast in her own

words, sneered inwardly. The villa had been a gift

wore a look of grievance on her face, biting her lips. “Bri,

the performance. She stood up, “I

1/3

Chapte

Lillian close, “Bri, what’s gotten

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

in one. It is no big deal. If you secure him

yours

voice steady,

anger. “You’re becoming more and

Haywoods wouldn’t tolerate even the slightest mistake from her. On the other hand, Lillian, who was always clumsy and had consistently poor grades, was seen by

you’re at it, check how

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

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

unable to believe the daughter who had always been

at the door, Lillian’s sobs, apologies, and Miranda’s comforting words chasing after

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.

away.

it, smoking. His greeting 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 genuinely cares about you, and treats you like

beat, Brielle

impact, his