Chapter 575

Victoria felt she’d said too much, even though she wasn’t quite sure what she was trying to communicate.

“Max is my brother, whether we’re close or not, and I don’t want him getting hurt.” With those words, she slipped into the hospital room.

Brielle stood there, overhearing Victoria instructing the doctor. “He’s been cooped up at home. drinking himself into oblivion. If I hadn’t found him today, he’d probably be dead. Please make sure there’s always a nurse watching over him while he’s admitted. I’ll take care of the expenses.”

Spencer’s parents had long left Beaconsfield, and the only one in the Dorsey family who might still have had some concern for him was probably Victoria.

Victoria had watched Spencer grow up; she knew about the night he spent on his knees in their ancestral home. That was why she had said those things to Brielle.

Victoria knew all too well the kind of tricks her father could play. If a man as proud as Everett could be broken, then Brielle stood no chance. Brielle and Max were never going to last, especially not with Michael yet to truly exert his influence. Once he did, Brielle would lose her dignity just as Everett had.

However, Victoria didn’t regret a thing. At least she kept Everett by her side. That was where he’d stay for the rest of his life.

The Dorseys never really understood love. What they felt was more like possession. Like now, Victoria couldn’t define her feelings for Everett. Was it love or something else? She simply couldn’t bear to let go and decided why not keep him close and torment each other? Victoria lowered her eyes, knowing that unless Brielle were completely unattached in this world, everything and everyone connected to her would become a burden, a vulnerability. Victoria’s father had used the woman Everett loved most to threaten him, and that woman was pregnant at the time. Everett had been searching for this woman for years, but how could he possibly succeed with Michael’s methods? If not for the child still being alive, Everett would’ve commit suicide by now.

Victoria wanted to knock Everett off his pedestal and turn him into a plaything she could manipulate and desecrate. The love she couldn’t have was returned to her in another form that satisfied her.

Not a single Dorsey was normal, including her brother, Max, who simply lacked emotional awareness and buried his feelings deeply.

Some people’s madness was external, others internal, and the world had always been that way. Back at the office, Brielle learned that the police had taken away the woman who hurt her. She couldn’t find an excuse to explain her wrist injury to Max, so she said she would stay with Aubree another night. Upon hearing she’d be with Aubree, Max didn’t press any further, Brielle had a key to Aubree’s place, made long ago. As she inserted it into the tock, she heard footsteps from inside.

Aubree opened the door, and her slight spark of hope vanished upon seeing Brielle, A quick glance inside showed that the previous night’s mess of clothes and bottles had been cleaned up. The room was refreshed, and the table was neatly laden with delicious food, including a homemade birthday cake.

Brielle knew who Aubree was waiting for, but that person probably wouldn’t show up tonight.

Feeling awkward, Aubree fiddled with the doorknob before mumbling. “Caught in a sad scene again, huh? I knew he wouldn’t come.”

Like a gambler addicted to hope, Aubree clung to the slim possibility until the bitter end.

She quickly pulled Brielle inside. “I made lots of goodies. Eat with me, or it’ll all go to waste.”

Brielle didn’t refuse. Aubree needed company, even if it was just a silent presence.

Midway through their meal, both their phones rang. Max was calling Brielle about an issue with Martha, who’d had three episodes in one day. He needed to visit the sanatorium.

Brielle stood up immediately, insisting on going with him. “Aubree, Max’s mom is in trouble. I’m heading to the sanatorium.”

Aubree nodded, not letting on who had called her.

Brielle reached the sanatorium quickly. Several doctors were already restraining Martha when she arrived.

Max, braving the chill of the night, stood by a window in the hallway, peering into the chaotic scene.

A doctor approached Max, his tone sympathetic, “Ms. Martha’s been very unstable lately, and she’s been calling for you. Deep down, she probably wants you by her side. However, your work keeps you busy. Visiting every two weeks isn’t enough, and something about Beaconsfield is scaring her. That’s why she’s acting out.”

Max rubbed his temple, then heard the doctor suggest, “Max, if you can’t be here often, maybe look into what happened to Ms. Martha back then. We need to understand why she’s like this.”

Upon hearing this, Brielle felt a knot tighten in her stomach, an ominous premonition creeping over her.