Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Max rubbed his temples, his tone casual. "I was just talking off the cuff."

But Andrew knew better. Max never spoke without intent.

Among the four of them, Jaired was the military lifer, rarely seen but held in high regard by the Riddle family. Despite his youth, he'd carved out a reputation that promised a meteoric rise in their social circles, barring any unexpected setbacks.

Kenzo was the serene artist, often smiling quietly, his talent in the arts nothing short of extraordinary. He'd disappear from Beaconsfield for inspiration without a word of where he went.

Then there was Max and him.

Max had been a Wall Street prodigy, his financial empire shrouded in mystery. Despite handling Dorsey International from a distance, the company's stock kept climbing.

If anyone's whereabouts were an open book, it was Andrew's. Unlike Max, he didn't keep a low profile. He personally handled every Clements Corporation deal and had even tangled with Dustin overseas. As Max had pointed out, Andrew's movements were the most straightforward.

But what about Jaired and Kenzo?

Especially Kenzo, who had recently announced his retirement and severed all ties, as if he intended to leave everything in Beaconsfield behind and vanish.

It left Andrew feeling like he was the only one taking their brotherhood seriously while the others were just playing along.

Why?

He couldn't understand it.

"Max, if you know something, anything, you better tell me. It's tough, Kenzo just up and leaving without a word."

His voice was rough, worn down by sleepless nights and frayed nerves.

Max placed a glass of water in front of him. "Drink up, then get some rest." That was all he'd get for now.

After leaving Premier Palace, Andrew headed to Stellar Stage Entertainment.

Aubree's film had wrapped, and word was she'd bought a house. He'd asked around everywhere before finding out where her new place was.

Marissa's birthday was approaching, and she'd given Aubree all her

shares in Clements Corporation. For

that reason alone, Aubree Wone

likely visit the Clements family home, giving Andrew a slim chance to see her.

Aubree was holed up at Stellar Stage Entertainment, working tirelessly with acting coaches, sometimes staying overnight, fully committed to her craft. Since her social media bonding with Keiran, her Twitter following had skyrocketed. With the film's release imminent, she needed to solidify her standing fast. Andrew waited outside Stellar Stage Entertainment for two days straight without seeing her.

He'd learned his lesson. Until Marissa's birthday, he'd wait at Aubree's newly purchased villa.

As dusk fell, he shrugged his jacket onto his forearm after handling the last of his obligations at Clements Corporation and headed to Aubree's new residence. Aubree was due back that day, having heard that both Brielle and Keiran had returned.

She bid farewell to her coach and drove back to her villa.

The neighborhood was prestigious, the security top-notch.

But the sight of a shadowy figure at her doorstep nearly made her scream.

Andrew had downed a couple of extra drinks that evening, reeking of liquor.

Lack of sleep had taken its toll, and he'd dozed off against the wall while waiting.

It was the sound of footsteps that snapped him awake, his eyes meeting Aubree's in an instant.

At the sight of him, Aubree's scream

died in her throat, the panic that had begun to rise dissipated, and she leaned weakly against the wall, careful not to reveal her distress.

IMS

She fumbled with the keypad at the door, her trembling fingers failing to enter the correct code.

The panic clung to her, dragging her back to the day she was pulled into a car.

Andrew stood up, took her shaking hand, and keyed in the correct code.

All of Andrew's codes were the same - her birthday - even his PIN was no exception.

There was a time when Andrew didn't even know her birthday, always mixing it up with Tessa's Now, it was etched into him, as

permanent as if nailed to his bones.