Master of his heart (Max and Brielle) novel Chapter 1381

Only a mother knows this kind of regret.

Max wrapped his arms around her, gently patting her back.

"It's not your fault."

If you had to trace it back, he'd shoulder a big part of the blame. Back then, under the crushing pressure from the Dorsey family, he lost a part of himself. That's when King emerged, leading to all the tangled mess between King and her.

If King were seen as a separate person, then all three of them were incomplete, each stuck in their own swamp. Only together could they pull each other out.

King’s swamp came from Brielle not loving her. Brielle's swamp was her insecurities. And Max? His swamp had always been King.

It was a fated cycle, with no one really at fault. If someone on the outside thought anyone owed anyone else, they just didn't get it.

What is love in the eyes of the world, anyway? Max didn’t really care. Just like Irene now, some people might point fingers at her, saying she wasn’t good enough for Bryan, criticizing her past relationships, calling her promiscuous, saying she should be drowned in spit. But to Bryan, Irene was irreplaceable; he saw what others couldn’t.

In essence, it was an equal match, a higher form of love, a more refined pleasure. Of course, there's nothing wrong with indulging in simpler love, but if everyone could tolerate each other's views, society would hear a lot less judgment.

"Brielle, it's okay to be a little selfish," Max said softly. "It's okay, so don’t worry about what anyone else thinks."

Brielle stiffened, tears suddenly streaming down her face. Max cradled her face, kissing her twice.

"Just do what you want to do."