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 soul to

the damsel

days to move out of that villa,” Brielle suppressed her anger, feeling as if her mouth was filled

she wanted to be

had been a gift from Spencer-what right did

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

She stood

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Lillian close, “Bri,

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

one. It is no big deal. If you secure him as your husband,

yours

stood tall, her voice steady, “then maybe

heaved with anger. “You’re becoming more

wouldn’t tolerate even the slightest mistake from her. On the other

while you’re at it, check how many times she’s slept with Spencer in

the words left her mouth,

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 your daughter. I won’t

believe the daughter who had always been

was already at the door, Lillian’s sobs, apologies, and

believe Lillian capable of such things. “I can’t believe Bri would fabricate such lies

Brielle as

dry lips, tasting blood. With a press on the

away.

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

missing a beat, Brielle

impact, his chiseled