Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The old cornmeal was meant for feeding pigs, and eating it felt like chewing on sand. Without water, swallowing it was nearly impossible. Emma felt her throat being scratched raw by the gritty substance, but if she didn't eat something soon, she feared she might actually die. After choking down the meal, the rain outside seemed almost mocking as it leaked through the roof. Thrilled, she cupped her hands to catch and drink a few drops, which helped clear her vision a bit.

She didn't bother calling out for help from the people outside. Pleading with them was pointless-they were as heartless as the cornmeal she had just forced down. Besides, her family couldn't scrape together twenty thousand dollars even if they wanted to.

She scoured the room, hoping against hope to find something else edible-maybe a few more kernels of corn. Her search was thorough, sparing not even the floorboards.

But her hands froze when they found something wrapped in newspaper under the bed. Pulling it out, the sight of a hundred-dollar bill peeking from the corner sent a shock through her. This wasn't the money Patrick had left behind; that was safely kept in her mother's purse for a potential trip to town. So, what was this cash doing here under the bed?

Counting it, she found exactly five thousand dollars. Her mother had been bedridden for years, with no chance to earn any money. This five thousand, added to what Patrick had left, would make up the twenty thousand they needed. Yet her mother hadn't handed the money over, instead spending the past few days haggling with the Odeberg family.

Emma had thought they were simply too broke, but discovering this stash made her feel cold to her core, shivering uncontrollably. Clutching the newspaper, she stormed to the door, hammering on it with unexpected strength.

"Open up! Mom, open the door!" she shouted, her voice fueled by a mix of hunger and newfound energy.

Peyton had almost convinced herself that her daughter might have already succumbed, having heard no sound from her all morning. But then, there was still the issue of the twenty thousand dollars. If she gave it away, what would they live on?

Her hesitation vanished when she

heard Emma's voice, a mix of relief and guilt washing over her. Her heart softened realizing her daughter had been starving for days. Sighing, she turned to the Odeberg family, "The twenty thousand dollars, we'll pay. Just open the door. If she dies from starvation, you're to blame."

The Odeberg family, who had been stalling for time, exchanged looks before finally agreeing to unlock the door once they heard Peyton's commitment to pay. In this remote village, law enforcement was scarce, with the only village head being a relative of the Odebergs. The Molls stood no chance against them.

As the door swung open, Emma's

frail figure appeared, holding the newspaper wrapped cash, silently facing Peyton. But before she could question her, Peyton saw the newspaper and quickly snatched the money from it. Adding it to the sum in her purse, she counted out the full twenty thousand for the Odeberg

family.

Only then did the Odeberg family leave, satisfied, leaving the onlookers surprised that Peyton actually managed to produce the money, given the Moll family's known financial struggles.

Once everyone had dispersed, Peyton, seeing Emma's bedraggled state, finally allowed herself to feel a pang of empathy. "There's food on the stove, I've warmed it up. Eat something, Emma. Don't starve yourself."

Hearing this, Emma's tears started to flow. "Mom, where did the money come from?" They had always lived hand to mouth, relying on her to gather herbs from the forest to sell. But the value of herbs had been falling yearly, and they hardly brought in enough money for medical expenses in the village.

Peyton avoided her gaze, leading her towards the table. "Mom, where did this money really come from?" Emma pressed, not considering the possibility of it being her college fund, given that she believed the application had been unsuccessful.

Finally, Peyton could no longer evade the truth. "The year you were supposed to start college, remember you applied for a grant? It came through. Five thousand dollars, I've been saving it."

Emma stood frozen, her world tiltingThis is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

as she struggled to reconcile this revelation with the mother she thought she knew. They had

el?

survived on the bare minimum, free from the petty squabbles that plagued other families. But now, to learn her mother had hidden her college fund from her, the very

money meant for her education, was a blow Emma hadn't anticipated.