Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

In the stark reality of the attorney's office, Andrew didn't flinch as he scribbled his name on the divorce papers.

Stepping out of the precinct, he was met by Marissa's furious slap.

"Smack!"

His head snapped to the side, and he tasted the metallic tang of blood. Marissa's hand trembled as she pointed at him, but no words came out.

Andrew narrowed his eyes and wiped the blood from his lips. "Mom, I'm not going to let the Clements Corporation suffer because of this."

Marissa, seething, raised her hand to strike again, but Andrew caught her wrist firmly. "I'm going to be with Aubree, come hell or high water. So, the Clements family needs to stop arranging her marriage prospects."

"You've lost your mind!" Marissa yanked her hand back and sneered coldly after a moment, "You want Aubree? Have you thought about if she even wants you? You're divorced now, damaged goods. There are plenty of eligible bachelors out there, and she's about to start acting. The entertainment industry is crawling with handsome men. What makes you think you stand a chance?"

Andrew didn't respond. He quietly got into his car.

As he left, he told someone standing by, "Make sure the folks inside know the Clements family doesn't want her to have an easy time."

The person shivered and nodded quickly. "Mr. Clements, don't worry, we'll put her in with the hardened criminals."

Andrew nodded, still uneasy. "Don't let anyone visit her."

The prison was a labyrinth of hardships, and with Tessa's frail frame, even with all the talent in the world, there was no way out. Add the torment from cellmates, and she likely wouldn't last the year.

Andrew hadn't planned to be so ruthless. He just wanted a clean divorce and then to lock her away somewhere. But Tessa had been too wild, too ungrateful.

Andrew's lips pressed tightly together, his chest aching once more. Tessa was right about one thing: his indulgence had led to Aubree's misery. He had never taken Aubree seriously and always spoke lightly of her in front of Tessa. Naturally, Tessa never saw Aubree as a threat, thinking her actions, no matter how outrageous, wouldn't anger Andrew.

Deep down, Andrew knew why he

kept Aubree at arm's length. It all started the night he confessed to Tessa and was rejected, only to be caught by Aubree. Having always had a smooth life, he had never experienced such humiliation To be seen in that state by someone he considered a joke was infuriating. Moreover, he saw pity in her eyes,

followed by her confession.

She said she had always liked him and asked if they could be together. He couldn't recall what he thought at that moment, only that he was at an age where having a woman was something to take advantage of. Why not? No strings attached.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.

He never expected to keep Aubree

around for so long, always assuming each time was the last. Gradually, he lowered his own standards. He knew Aubree was smitten with him, desperately so, but he couldn't figure out his own feelings. Maybe it was the deep-seated memory of his youthful confession that stuck with him. Because he didn't get what he wanted, he kept telling himself he loved Tessa. And since Tessa was frail, he had to be good to her.

He rationalized it almost clinically and ruthlessly ignored Aubree time and again. It was tragic, really, ignoring that flicker of excitement. If he didn't like Aubree, why tolerate her slaps? Why answer her defiance with fierce passion in bed, finding satisfaction in her disarray? The slap marks didn't hurt anymore, and he'd ask menacingly, "Will you slap me again next time?"

Only when she spat out the words, "You're sick," would he release her, content. But he didn't understand that this was affection. He mistook it for a man's need for retribution.

With a wry smile, Andrew snapped a photo of the divorce papers and sent it to Aubree. She had blocked him before, but Andrew was persistent, changing his number to call her until she finally removed him from the blacklist. The reply came swift and sharp.

"Get lost."

Aubree was livid, repulsed even. She never used to respond to his messages. Seeing that single word, Andrew felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Being cursed by her was better than being ignored-it hurt less than indifference.