Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Emma glanced at the caller ID; it said Clare.

A girl's name.

Her mind drifted back to something Dustin had mentioned before. During his time back in North America, he'd had a short fling. Was Clare the one? Pregnant?

Her face went pale, her eyelashes drooping, and her hands instinctively curled up in front of her.

Ten minutes after reading the message, her phone buzzed. It was Clare.

Emma hesitated for a few seconds before calling out to Dustin in the kitchen.

"Did someone call?"

Dustin, still wearing his apron, was bringing out some dishes. He frowned slightly at the caller ID.

After answering, Clare's voice came through immediately.

"Oh my God, what do I do? I think I'm pregnant. I'm in Beaconsfield, and I don't know anyone here. Can you take me to the hospital for a check-up? I have no idea who the father is." "What are you saying?"

"Sob, during those days I was kidnapped, I was forced... there were many men. I don't know whose it is, but I feel so sick all of a sudden, like I want to throw up. I think I might be pregnant. Can you take me to the hospital?" Dustin rubbed his forehead, glancing over at Emma, who had already taken her seat and served him dinner.

"Send me your location."

After hanging up, he turned to Emma.

"I have a friend in a bit of a mess, Emma. You'll have to eat without me; I'll be back soon."

Emma didn't respond right away.

Dustin, already pulling off his apron, called her again, "Emma?"

Her face was pale, but she managed a weak smile.

"Go ahead, then."

Dustin leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"Finish up and get some rest. The night nurse is here for the baby; you don't have to worry."

Emma nodded, her lashes fluttering down.

"Dustin, make sure you come back soon. The baby's starting to recognize people."

As she said this, her heart clenched, realizing she might sound a bit selfish.

She always claimed the baby was hers alone, but after basking in his warmth for so long, she'd grown greedy.

Knowing he was off to see another woman, possibly a pregnant one, stirred anxiety and a faint hope that he might return quickly for the baby's sake.

His kindness was a trap, a poison.

Dustin chuckled, "Yeah, sure."

And with that, he was out the door.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Emma put down her fork.

Staring at the closed door, the once-delicious meal now seemed tasteless.

After sitting in a daze for half an hour, she asked the servants to clear the table.

"Ms. Emma, aren't you eating?"

"No, I think I'll head to bed."noveldrama

Upstairs, Emma tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She looked at the scar on her belly, now scabbed over. Sometimes, the healing wound itched, and in her half-asleep state, she'd scratch at it.

Dustin, worried she might accidentally reopen the wound and cause an infection, stayed by her bedside every night.

He knew she hadn't fully accepted

him yet, so he didn't rush to join her in bed. Instead, he sat by the bed, eventually placing a small couch, about a meter wide, to hold her hand every night.

Habits are a funny thing.

Tonight, no one held her hand, leaving her feeling completely alone, the house feeling emptier.

The small couch by the bed was vacant, and cries from the baby's room next door broke the silence.

She quickly got up and went to the baby's room, which was spacious, finding one of the night nurses gently patting her sister's back. "Ms. Emma, you're still awake?"

The period when the baby is still breastfeeding is the toughest on a mother, often waking up to the baby's cries in the middle of the night.

But with three night nurses and Dustin's help, Emma usually slept well.

Except tonight, with Dustin gone, the baby's cries woke her.

She hurriedly took her sister into her arms, softly cooing.

"There, there, no need to cry."

She moved to a chair, opening her blouse to nurse.

Her sister, perhaps upset, sucked vigorously.

Emma winced at the pain but

endured, using a baby wipe to gently

dab at her sister's tears, ensuring

she calmed down before adjusting her clothes and handing the baby back to the night nurse.

The nurse couldn't help but tease.

"Mr. Lynch always manages to calm her without any tears. This little one must really know her people."

Emma's heart ached at the mention of Dustin, but she forced a smile and returned to bed.