Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

When Brielle woke up, the sky was painted in shades of orange and pink - she had slept through the entire day.

She overheard the medical staff outside delivering reports, and relief washed over her. Everyone was safe. The illness mainly spread through ingestion, with an 80% transmission rate through bodily fluids. Once infected, the fatality rate was a grim 100%. But for now, Brielle and King were in the clear.

Her heart, heavy with worry, finally found some peace.

King walked into the room, relief evident in his eyes when he saw her awake. He gently lifted the blankets and started massaging her back.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Brielle shot him a playful glare. "Now you care? Why didn't you stop last night when I asked?"

"Brielle, we have a flight at 8 PM. We're all heading back home."

Brielle nodded, her eyes closing in comfort.

But then, she felt King's arms wrapping around her waist, his voice husky and tinged with a hint of sadness. "I'm going to miss you so much, Brielle." Confused, Brielle questioned, "Why are you saying that? Aren't we going to be together?"

Was he thinking of leaving her?

"King, you don't want me anymore?"

At her words, King stiffened, then held her even tighter. "That's nonsense!"

"Then why say such things? You're making me anxious. I don't want you to go. Can't we always be together?"

King buried his face in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath. "But what about Max?"

Brielle tensed up, a wave of pain rushing through her head.

King gently bit her neck. "It's okay. I'm already content knowing you like and love me too."

For him, that was the happiest thing in the world. They had both faced death with Max, and she had called out his name at the brink of life and death.

King smiled, holding her close. "I'm so happy, Brielle. And I love you too."

Brielle felt a chill, as the fragmented memories in her mind finally pieced together. She remembered who Jaired, Max, and Irene were. "King, I feel the same," she said, embracing him tightly.

King's heart swelled with joy. If it weren't for their imminent flight, he'd show Ker just how much he adored her his Little Canary, his cherished one.

At the airport, Brielle's legs were still weak, slowing her pace. Irene, on the other hand, clung to Bryan, dramatically pretending to faint whenever her feet touched the ground.

Bryan, left with no choice, carried her the entire way.

On the plane, Irene snuggled up to Bryan, while Jaired seethed with irritation nearby. "Get a room," he muttered under his breath.

Later, as the cabin lights dimmed, Irene attempted to sneak onto Bryan's lap, only to be promptly sent back to her seat with a firm slap. "Sit back down!"

Jaired couldn't help but smirk at the scene. "Shameless," he commented, witnessing Irene's rejection for the first time.

Ignoring him, Irene intertwined her fingers with Bryan's, resting her head on his shoulder as she drifted off to sleep.

Bryan caught Jaired's disapproving

gaze, the air between them charged with unspoken tension. Jaired scoffed, "Pathetic," before curling up to sleep, leaving the lovers to their whispered dreams.