Chapter 444

Andrew couldn’t fathom how someone like Max, who he thought was oblivious to matters of the heart, could possess such insight. It was true–Max wasn’t well–versed in emotions, but he had eyes that saw clearer than most.

Society had always been harsh on women, especially within the elite echelons, where it seemed a woman’s role was to fawn over men.

Within such circles, infidelity in married men was so commonplace it barely raised eyebrows. Elders would advise the women to be patient, assuring them that the wandering husbands would return home once the novelty wore off. A wife who couldn’t accept such behavior was labeled as lacking understanding.

Flip the script, however, and a woman who strayed was considered unforgivable, a stain on male pride.

Her husband wouldn’t hesitate to kick her to the curb and find another.

For Max, when it came to Brielle, there were no such calculations of what should be or questions of dignity. The array of emotions Brielle stirred in him was novel, yet not unwelcome. She made him feel enriched in ways he hadn’t known, but also more wanting.

Max was high above everyone else, but he never demanded Brielle to stand on tiptoes to reach him.

After a long silence, Andrew couldn’t contain himself. “Max, what you feel for Brielle–is it affection, or love?”

The difference was monumental.

Andrew would go to the ends of the earth for Tessa because he loved her. But Max and Brielle had only known each other for a short time.

Max was stumped by the question, “It’s affection,” he said after a brief hesitation.

Love was a word too heavy to utter lightly. To Max, it was more burdensome than the world, a promise of devotion to life and death.

Relieved by Max’s response, Andrew thought it was good that for men, affection was a shallow thing.

Something so easily drowned in a few extra beers or cast aside after meeting a few new faces.

Andrew’s lips curled into a small smile. It seemed Max regarded Brielle simply as a canary. And there was no shame in trying to win the favor of a canary.

“Getting Brielle to like you is easy.” Andrew said. “She grew up in an orphanage, starved of attention and love. Women fall in love through their ears–they just want to hear sweet nothings. Compliment her often, spend time with her, and keep the gifts coming.”

Max only glanced at Andrew’s advice, recognizing his friend’s tactics with Tessa.

But Brielle was not Tessa.

11:43 Kenzo joined the conversation. “Max, your mother just returned to the States, and she’s quite chummy with my sister. If Brielle has feelings for you, she’ll be influenced by that. How about this–in a week, some of our friends are heading to a vacation lodge for a barbecue. It will be a blast, and since Brielle’s new to Beaconsfield, she could use some friends her age. It could. bring you two closer.”

Such gatherings were common among the young and affluent set, a chance to build connections that could lead to strategic marriages. But Max had never shown interest before.

Kenzo lifted his glass with a smirk. “Don’t worry, I’ll vet the invitees. No loose lips.”

Max finally loosened up. He didn’t mind his relationship with Brielle being exposed; he would do his best to protect her from harm. However, the purpose of Brielle hiding the rosary was very clear. She temporarily did not want their relationship to be public.

He respected her wishes.

“Sure, I’ll ask her.”

Max dropped the subject. When Andrew taunted Brielle’s status not matching up to Max’s. suggesting she was no more than a pretty caged bird, Max didn’t bite.

“What’s it to them?”

“Brielle could play her cards right and benefit from the connection,” Andrew pointed out.

“And that would make her happy?”

Max caring about her happiness took Andrew aback.

Finding the conversation futile, Andrew quietly sipped his drink while Max quickly left the bar–a place he seldom frequented anyway.

Back in his car, Max was at a loss. He gripped the steering wheel, wondering what he used to do before Brielle entered his life.