Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

"Aubree," Emma said as she stood up, regaining her composure.

"I'm really sorry," she added.

Aubree glanced towards the hospital room where Emma's mom was resting, hooked up to an IV.

"How's your mom doing?"

"The doctors say it's nothing serious for now, but she'll need to stay in the hospital for a week," Emma replied.

Aubree nodded. "That's a relief. Just try not to stress too much. You're pregnant, and all this emotional turmoil isn't good for the baby."

Emma looked down, her face calm yet determined, as if she had made a monumental decision.

"Aubree, I've decided... I've decided to end the pregnancy."

Aubree stiffened, shocked. Emma had been so adamant about keeping the baby before.

Emma forced a smile. "I probably seem foolish to you. I always thought that with enough effort, I could change my circumstances. Tonight, I changed my look, thinking that even if I couldn't become the main star at Stellar Stage Entertainment, maybe the attention I got could help me make some money at home, enough to take care of my mom and the baby. But I was too optimistic."

She couldn't even bear to think about the kind of abuse she and her mother were facing online.

They hadn't done anything wrong. Why could just a few words from Leona stir up such outrage?

She couldn't understand it. She always felt she couldn't give up, but seeing her mother hospitalized and not being able to afford the medical bills made her question everything she had held onto.

She wasn't that strong. If the baby were born, it would just mean one more person living this tough life.

"It would only add one more unfortunate soul to the world," she said quietly.

Right now, she could barely take care of her mother, let alone a child. Maybe her frail mother would end up having to take care of her instead.

Her eyes reddened. "I'm sorry, Aubree. I shouldn't dump all this negativity on you. You must be exhausted from filming."

But she desperately needed someone to talk to.

Aubree pulled her into a chair, sensing Emma's distress.

"Emma, are you sure about this? Remember what I told you before? This is Dustin's child. If you wanted to, you could use this situation to get some support from him. After all, that night was consensual; he should take responsibility.

Emma just gave a sad smile.

"Aubree, like I said before, I don't want to be with Dustin. You might not believe me, but I'm not sure how I feel about him. I've always felt inferior, just like my mom. The moment I saw Dustin, I knew

were worlds apart. Coming net

ask

Beaconsfield, I only walled the

him about the child. If he

baby, I'd leave; if not, I'd feel free to make my decision without any burden. I never planned on anything more."

Emma's gaze was serene as she faced Aubree, her demeanor completely calm now. She intertwined her fingers, voicing her deepest thoughts.

"Dustin's like a prince from a fairy tale, and I'm like Cinderella. That night was like being lucky enough to attend a ball didn't belong to. When midnight struck, I turned back into Cinderella, and he remained the high and mighty prince. But in fairy fales, when the prince searches forthe girl with the glass slipper, no one ever asks if Cinderella wants to live with the prince in the castle. It's assumed she should be grateful. If I truly were Cinderella, I wish someone would ask me if I wanted to be with the prince."

Emma had scarcely interacted with men in her life. She didn't resist Dustin's advances that night because he called her beautiful.

No one had ever complimented her like that, making her forget to resist.

She didn't understand what liking someone meant; she only thought Dustin was the most handsome man she had ever seen.