Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

It was the first time he ever asked for a gift, a birthday gift, but the whole ordeal was anything but joyful. And he'd only ever shared that date with Brielle, who'd since forgotten it. Now, apart from him, no one else in the world knew that date anymore. "Grandma, what do you think about this one? Knowing his personality, he'd probably go for something more flashy."

"Sweetie, don't you think the color of the wristband is a bit off? Or is it just me getting old and out of touch with what's trendy nowadays?"

Brielle and Desiree's conversation drifted over as the sales assistant behind the counter watched them with a smile. For some reason, King found this scene a bit unsettling. He tried to tune out, hoping it would ease the heaviness in his chest that thinking about the gift was causing.

Brielle and Desiree had decided on a style and were now at the counter paying. The Lynch family had money, and so did Brielle, but this time Desiree was paying, insisting it was her gift to her grandson. King hung around for a bit, and seeing them ready to leave with their boxed purchase, he breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't too fond of this place.

"Brielle, are we good to go? Where to next?" As soon as he finished speaking, a watch was being fastened around his wrist. King's body went stiff with disbelief. Brielle adjusted the band to fit snugly and nodded.

"For you."

After all, he'd come along to help pick out the gift, and for some reason, seeing him standing there alone tugged at her heartstrings.

"For me?" King's voice quivered, half afraid Brielle might change her mind, quickly pulling his hand back. Brielle hardly noticed his reaction, simply nodding.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Let's go."

Beside them, Desiree chuckled, "Looks good. Handsome boy, everything suits you." Brielle didn't argue with that. King, however, was too over the moon to hear their words, his mind a blissful blur. Brielle had given him a watch? Such a thing would have been unimaginable before! What a blissful turn of events!!

The trio got into the car, heading towards Dustin's place in Beaconsfield, a quaint village.

Emma was locked in her room, Peyton's voice mingling with those of other women from the village outside. That night, Peyton had fed Emma the medicine and delivered her to the Odeberg family. Though the Odebergs weren't the strongest fighters, with Emma weakened by the medicine, she couldn't resist. Outside, the village feasted, simple meals laid across several tables, but given the Odebergs' standing in the village, each table boasted seven or eight meat dishes.

Peyton was the center of attention, showered with congratulations, her future in the town now secured. town Having spent much of her life bedridden, Peyton was often the subject of gossip. And with Emma's skin tone, they were never truly accepted in the village. If not for Emma's medical skills, they might have been cast out long ago. Vanity thrives, especially in small communities where gold rings flaunted at festivals are a source of immense pride, only satisfied once everyone has seen it.

Peyton had never had such luxuries, especially after the men in their lives had gone, leaving them financially strained. With Emma's father gone, they were shunned by relatives, with no dowry to speak of, the family's financial burdens fell

ovel.n

entirely on Emma's young shoulders. Balancing care for her mother with her education, Emma had managed to get into a prestigious university, a celebration marked by fireworks from the

school and congratulations from the

teachers.

Yet, in a village where gender biases ran deep, Emma's academic success only fueled resentment, with neighbors whispering maliciously to Peyton. Warnings against letting Emma pursue her education, tales of ingratitude, and cautionary stories of women who'd defied

their families painted a bleak picture, suggesting that education would only lead Emma away from her mother.