Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1519

Emma didn't respond, letting the silence hang between them like a final curtain, saving a bit of dignity in the awkwardness. Dustin felt like someone had punched a hole right through his chest. Their relationship was odd-never fiery or passionate but leaving her hurt

more than any breakup he'd been through.

Dustin had always been a bit of a wanderer, thinking he was immune to the heartache of splitting up. But parting from Emma was a different kind of pain. It wasn't a sharp, stabbing anguish but more like a thin wire slowly tightening around his heart, squeezing the life out of him bit by bit. This pain was subtle and persistent, like a cough that just wouldn't quit. Not deadly, but irritating enough to drive anyone mad.

Emma gave him a small, knowing smile. "Let's start fresh tomorrow. Everyone's been too curious about you, and it's slowing things down."

Over the past year, Emma had grown, learning to face him with a calmness she'd never had before. In that moment, Dustin saw just how much she'd changed, how much she'd matured. Both he and life had pushed her to grow. Dustin lowered his gaze, his usually slick words caught in a chokehold. He forced a smile and simply said, "Okay."

That single word felt like a needle piercing Emma's heart.

They finished their meal in silence. Later, as Dustin showered, the house stayed hushed. Emma had already bathed and was lying in bed, Heather asleep beside her.

When the bathroom door opened, the scent of soap filled the room. Emma tensed, pretending to be asleep. She felt the mattress dip as he sat down beside her. Her heart raced at the thought he might want to stay the night. But Dustin just took her hand gently, like he used to.

Neither of them spoke. It was as if they were right back to those early days after their child was born, when he'd hold her hand through the night to keep her from scratching her stitches.

Their relationship was never about fireworks and drama; it was built on moments and habits. Now, those old memories came flooding back, tearing at her heart.

Silent tears streamed down Emma's face, her fingertips curling slightly, but Dustin held her hand firmly.

Finally, Dustin spoke, "I'll leave Heather with you. She's easy to care for and really well-behaved."

Sensing she was awake, he slowly let go of her hand. "Jaime's a bit of a handful, especially with his teenage years coming up. I'll take him fo Beaconsfield, and after that, maybe back to North America."

North America might as well have been another planet, so far away from Beaconsfield.

Emma stayed quiet, feeling like she couldn't breathe. Dustin added, "Jaime might miss his sister. Let's try to video call sometimes, whenever it works for you." After he said that, he went quiet, afraid of pushing her even further away.

After what felt like forever, Emma simply said, "Okay."

Neither of them slept that night, just stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Dustin felt a powerful urge to ask her to reconsider, to imagine a life together, all four of them. But he didn't dare.

He understood all too well what Emma had lost. He closed his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

He spent the night restless, dark

circles showing his sleeplessness. Yet, early in the morning, he got up and busied himself in the kitchen He prepared a month's worth of dumplings, making sure she had something to eat when he was gone.

Knowing Emma sometimes skipped cooking for herself, he worried. Once the freezer was packed, he set the table for breakfast and called Emma to join him. They both avoided mentioning the telltale signs of exhaustion on each other's faces.

"Emma, breakfast is ready. After we eat, Jaime and I will head out."