Chapter 565


    When she mentioned “a lifetime,” her voice caught, and she reached out, pulling Brielle’s hand over


    and then Max’s, stacking them together.


    Brielle raised a hand to massage her temples. How much had Aubree actually had to drink?


    “You’re stered. I’ll drive you home.”


    Aubree looked up at her with a nod. “Yeah, back to Andrew’s ce. Dawn’s breaking, and it’s his


    birthday. I got ingredients to bake a cake.” Drunk as she was, she still remembered Andrew’s birthday.


    Together, Brielle and Max supported her out of the bar.


    Max was unustomed to being so close to another woman, feeling utterly ufortable. After


    settling Aubree in the car, Max went to drive, noticing the scent of booze on his coat.


    Slumped against Brielle’s shoulder, Aubree’s face flushed. She mumbled incoherently, no one


    understood a word she said. Brielle was concerned Aubree might tumble to the floor with all her


    fidgeting, so one hand steadied Aubree’s head.


    They pulled up to where Aubree lived, and Brielle fished out the keys to help her inside.


    The doorman furrowed his brows upon seeing Aubree. “There she goes again,ing homete every


    night. She didn’t even go home for the holidays and was always out drinking. I really don’t know what


    her family taught her. A girl should have some self–respect and self–love. Last time, she was caught


    fooling around in a car right down there, and now the wholeplex


    knows about it.”


    Brielle’s face darkened as her gaze fell upon the doorman. Max nced over as well. The doorman


    shivered, feeling the pressure, and dared not say another word.


    Brielle had been to Aubree’s ce before, but Aubree hardly stayed there anymore. She was mostly at


    Andrew’s ce. She hadn’t expected Aubree to be alone during the holidays, and suddenly felt guilty


    for not calling more often.


    Once in the room, Aubree crashed on the couch and fell asleep.


    Brielle looked at Max, sharing a moment of helplessness. “Max, why don’t you wait for me downstairs?”


    The room was a mess with scattered bottles, jackets, and lingerie. It was unbearable to have him stand


    amidst the chaos. Max nodded and stepped out.


    Brielle gently wiped Aubree’s face with a warm towel.


    Aubree opened her eyes and saw her, her eyes welling up. “Bri, never fall in love with someone.” It had


    be her obsession. Loving the wrong person could be painful, but even loving the right one wasn’t


    always sweet. Hatred and fear often stemmed from love.


    Sighing, Brielle cleaned Aubree’s cheeks, neck, and fingers. Aubree seemed more sober now,


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    Chapter 303


    staring at the ceiling as silent tears fell.


    Brielle’s heart ached at the sight, and then banging on the door jolted her – more like smashing.


    *Heads up, Aubree! Open up. The boys are here to patronize your ‘business!“”


    “Out gallivanting all night again, huh? What, got picked up in a car again?”


    “You’re trash. Can’t keep still without a man for a day.”


    Since the incident with Andrew became neighborhood gossip, a few men woulde by her door each


    night to hurl abuse. The other neighbors knew, but the scandal was too big; they all assumed she was


    promiscuous. The women despised her. They thought their husband would be seduced by her, and


    would insult her on sight.


    Aubree was ostracized by the entire building, silent violence condoned by all. But she felt powerless,


    even unwilling to resist. The harsher they were, the more she mocked herself – the price of loving


    someone.


    Had she done something wrong?


    Her mistake was harboring a crush on Andrew, giving in when he came onto her, and then. unable to


    let go, she ended up scorned like this.


    Hearing the insults, Brielle’s temper red. She was about to storm out when she heard a thud against


    the wall outside. She quickly opened the door to see Max standing coolly in the hallway, his brow


    furrowed. “Beat it.”


    The jeering men could barely stand from the pain, their lips quivering as they scurried away.


    Max’s frown was prominent, and Brielle, sensing his mood, reached out to grasp his hand. “Didn’t I tell


    you to wait downstairs?”


    “It’s cold.”


    SON


    Brielle guessed he was worried about her and was about to invite him in the drafts in the hallway were


    even colder. But Max stood firm, pulling out his phone and dialing Andrew. Since their fight, this was


    the first time they had contacted each other.