Master of his heart ( Brielle And Max ) novel Chapter 1011

Brielle couldn't help but get caught up in Aubree's infectious laughter, joining in with a chuckle of her own.

Aubree was in town for work, with only the mornings free to explore before she had to join her magazine crew for a photoshoot. Today, she was incognito, wearing sunglasses and a mask. After all, having strutted down the Oscars red carpet, she was a familiar face even abroad.

Standing beside her, Brielle felt a bit surreal. Her best friend had truly become an international star.

"So, how are things with Andrew?" Brielle asked.

Aubree was the one Andrew had heroically carried out of a burning building. Brielle had heard that Aubree had initially wanted to dash into the flames herself, but it was Andrew who ended up going in.

Brielle never denied that, when it came to relationships, Andrew was far from perfect. But his intentions towards Max were beyond reproach. That didn't mean she was going to encourage Aubree to forgive him, though. The hurt Aubree had suffered wasn't something even a life-saving act could easily erase. But Brielle was curious if there was even a hint of wavering in Aubree's resolve.

The smile vanished from Aubree's face as they stopped outside a Hermes store. “It's the same, Bri. I just can't stand having a man sleep beside me,” Aubree said, her tone light. She picked up a purse nearby and slung it over her shoulder, twirling around.

“That night, when I wanted to run into the burning building, I realized I wasn't afraid of dying. I felt like a rotting peach, still fragrant on the outside but decayed within, down to the very core.”

Brielle picked up a bag as well, feeling grateful that Aubree could now talk openly about these things instead of bearing them alone. Aubree seemed genuinely at ease, browsing through several bags and liking quite a few.

“It's not that I feel dirty,” she continued. “It's more like I'm missing something, like a passion for the opposite sex, or a zest for life. But I do love acting. I enjoy portraying anyone except myself.”

It meant she could love every character she played but not herself. She couldn't quite pinpoint this emotion, a sign she had yet to reconcile with her past.