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 heart and

always playing the damsel

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

Lillian back. So, no matter what she did, she wanted to be

villa had been a gift from Spencer-what right did Brielle

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

She stood up,

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held Lillian close, “Bri, what’s gotten into you

it’s my fault. I had nowhere to live, so I moved into

has so many properties. Lillian can stay in one. It is no big deal. If you secure him as your husband,

yours

voice steady, “then maybe Lillian

anger. “You’re becoming

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

she’s done? And while you’re at

mouth, Miranda’s hand flew across her

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,

roared, unable to believe the daughter who had always

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

capable of such things. “I can’t believe Bri would fabricate such lies to slander you,”

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

lips, tasting blood. With a press on the gas, she

away.

she saw Spencer’s Porsche, him leaning against 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

beat, Brielle slapped him

his chiseled jawline