Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1521

Sobbing uncontrollably, she clung to Dustin's arm, unable to form a single word. It felt like life was playing another cruel joke on her with the threat of a car accident. Dustin, initially as stiff as a statue, gradually softened with each of her cries, his heart aching as if it might shatter. It seemed like all the grief Emma had bottled up because of Peyton was finally bursting free.

She despised car accidents.

Dustin wrapped his free arm around her. Little Jaime, wide-eyed, tried to wipe her tears with his tiny hands. "Mommy, don't cry, please," he whispered, but her tears only flowed faster, like a faucet gone haywire.

Onlookers were moved by her distress, having never seen Emma like this before. The local leader was already discussing compensation, but Dustin wasn't interested in sticking around. He led Emma away, her hand in his, tears still streaming down her face. They passed several curious villagers on their way, each one asking, "What happened to Emma?" or "Why's Emma crying?" and "Mr. Lynch, did you upset her?"

With each encounter, Dustin patiently explained, "She just got some dust in her eyes."

Noticing Emma was barefoot, with her feet scraped and bleeding, he frowned and quickly knelt down, offering, "Hop on, I'll carry you."

Even as she lay on his back, her sobs continued. Dustin set Jaime down, grateful that he walked more steadily than most kids his age. The walk home was slow, feeling endless, with Emma's tears soaking a large patch of Dustin's suit.

Eventually, she stopped crying and noticed the beautiful mountains in the distance. "Let's go to Beaconsfield together," she suggested.

Dustin stiffened, caught off guard. Emma sniffled and added, "Just thinking about you and Jaime being hurt makes me feel like I'd rather not go on."

Dustin, typically the stoic one in the Lynch family, found himself at a loss for words as tears welled up in his eyes.

The road home felt longer than ever, like it spanned their entire lives, lined with flowers and greenery, as their little family moved slowly towards an imagined beautiful ending.

"Alright, we'll go to North America," he finally agreed when they reached home.

Emma nodded, composed once more, but but couldn't resist adding,

Gan't keep in touch "But

es girlfriends." Content beko et

Dustin froze, then quickly raised his hand as if to swear, "If I speak a single word to them, I'll—"

Before he could finish, Emma playfully slapped his hand down. "Just say it, no need for oaths."

She doubted the sincerity of a reformed playboy's promises, picturing even the heavens growing tired of such vows.

Dustin quickly took her hand, kissing it gently, "I mean it, I won't contact them again."

Emma lowered her lashes, "And if you ever have a child out of wedlock..."

"Emma, the Lynch family has always been about marriage and doing things right—no secret children, Dustin reassured her, though the mention of Clare darkened his expression.

"I've never made anyone terminate a pregnancy. I've always been careful," he clarified.

Emma fell silent, realizing she might have been misled in the past.