Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Addison and Aiden didn't waste any time after Patrick's request; they quickly drove Brielle to the local clinic. Being a small town, there wasn't a central hospital around, and this clinic was the only option. Initially, the clinic was closed, but Addison called the number posted at the door, promising extra payment, which convinced them to open up again.

The doctor at the clinic gave Brielle a once-over and asked about her symptoms. When she mentioned feeling nauseous and unwell, the doctor inquired, "When was your last period?"

Brielle was caught off guard, feeling as if a gong had been struck in her head. She had been too busy with various issues to keep track of her cycle. Now, reminded by the doctor, she realized it had been a month and a half. The doctor took her wrist and felt her pulse, repeating, "How long ago was your last period?"

"Over forty days," she replied.

With over forty days passed, a simple pulse check was enough for a pregnancy diagnosis.

Brielle felt a wave of nervousness, sweat breaking out on her back as the doctor's fingers rested on her wrist.

Meanwhile, Addison and Aiden waited outside, unaware of the conversation inside. Given the private nature of medical matters, both of them, being respectful and principled, had positioned themselves at a distance.

"Did the nausea and vomiting start recently?" the doctor continued.

"Yes," Brielle answered shortly, and the doctor withdrew his hand.

"You're pregnant. Where's your husband? You've always been delicate, and you need to take special care during your pregnancy. Avoid stress and fatigue, and make sure to rest well. I don't have the means to run further tests here, but you should get a comprehensive check at a major hospital to see how the baby is doing."

The doctor glanced uncertainly at the two figures outside, unsure of Brielle's situation.

"Regardless, you must rest. You're quite run down, and if you don't take care, it could endanger the child," he warned.

Brielle's mind buzzed with noise. After a previous false alarm with Max, they had been careful with contraception, but after a temporary breakup and reconciliation, they had slipped up a few times.

Seeing no joy on her face, the doctor

sighed, "If you're considering termination, you should act quickly. The later it is, the more harm it could cause you. It's important to protect yourself, and don't take any chances. One lapse in protection can easily lead to pregnancy. If you're not ready for a child, make sure your partner takes proper precautions."

After the advice, the doctor reached for a prescription pad. "Would you like some traditional remedies?"

Brielle, needing to rush to Dustin's location, had no time for traditional concoctions. Remembering the doctor's words about her weakened state, she clenched her fists with concern. "Do you have any Western medicine? I really don't have time right now."

"Pregnancy is not about having time;

even if the sky was falling, you'd need to prioritize. If you lose the child, don't blame me for not warning you. You've even got bodyguards with you; clearly, you're someone important. I can't be responsible for any loss," the doctor said, waving his hand dismissively. "Just pay for the consultation. I don't stock Western medicine here."

"Do you have any antacids?"

At the very least, she couldn't let anyone know about her pregnancy before she returned.

Frowning, the doctor admitted she didn't keep Western medicine in stock, but she had some antacids for personal use and handed a box to Brielle.

After paying for the consultation, Brielle stepped outside, feeling nauseous again. Addison and Aiden immediately came to her aid, supporting her.

"Ms. Brielle, are you alright?" Addison asked with concern.

"It's just an upset stomach," Brielle managed to say.

Addison, more attentive than Aiden, suggested, "We'll drive slowly. You can rest in the back. The seats fold down into a bed."

Then, nudging Aiden, she added, "Go grab some light meals, something easy on the stomach."

Once everything was prepared, the trio got back into the car. But Brielle was weighed down by heavy thoughts, tossing and turning on the makeshift bed in the back, unable to sleep. As soon as her body began to react, the reaction was fierce. The timing of this child's arrival was far from ideal, but it was not the child's fault. It was her indulgence in their pleasure that had led to forgetting contraception.

An hour into the drive, Brielle had

been sick four times. Eventually,

Addison and Aiden dared not

continue driving and promptly pulled over. The moment the car stopped, Brielle opened the door and staggered weakly to a tree, where she continued to be sick. Having

eaten next to nothing, there was hardly anything left to vomit.