Brianna was standing there, watching the wreckage. She couldn't stand the fact that Reyna was suffering an abusive relationship, just like she did with Lucian.
She didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, but she also didn't want her sister to discover it when she pushes her "Lucian" over the "balcony."
Reyna on the other hand couldn't help but think that quiet stare was a declaration of war. This is Brianna's fault!
Just standing there staring at her made her blood pressure skyrocket!
She knew Brianna seduced Mike. Bewitched him, even, just to watch her suffer.
Brianna ended the stare contest. "Reyna..."
"What do you think you're doing?" Reyna interrupted savagely.
"Reyna, can't you see it? He doesn't deserve you. You shouldn't waste your time on a man who—"
"That's the father of my children! I should leave him because I don't deserve him? Is that your expert advice, 'Doctor'?"
Brianna knew Reyna would twist this to the version she wanted to hear.
"I never said that—"
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Reyna bellowed, closing the gap between them with wild eyes.
"Who are you to give me life advice? You, a woman whose womb is as cold and empty as her heart? You're so perfect, yet you couldn't even produce a single heir to keep a man's interest!"
Reyna's laugh was high and hysterical.
"You look down on me? At least I have children to show for my life. You? You're a glorified ATM for that useless parasite you call a husband! Everyone knows, Brianna—you spend all day hosting a show about 'Marriage' just so you can go home and feed a man who doesn't have the dignity to earn his own bread. You're a high-class servant for a deadbeat, while I'm the mother of the next generation."
In the world Reyna and Bobbie inhabited, a woman only worked if the man in her life was "useless."
A "real" marriage, in their eyes, was a golden cage where the man paid for your laziness.
She leaned in, her voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "Keep your 'pity.' I'd rather be Mike's 'mistake' than a barren woman who has to buy her husband's affection every time he feels like eating. You aren't a Goddess, Brianna. You're just a lonely woman working a job you hate to support a man who would leave you the moment your bank account runs dry."
Brianna almost wanted to laugh.
Reyna truly believed that the reason Brianna was the most successful host at YKC News was out of necessity.
She couldn't fathom that Brianna held this position because she craved influence.
Reyna had no idea that the "useless man" she was mocking was Lucian Colburn.
To the public, he was the mysterious "President Lucian" of Better Health. They didn't even know he had distanced himself from the Colburn name to build his own empire.
But Brianna didn't correct her. There was no need to explain the sun to a person who lived in a sewer.
"Is that how you see it, Reyna? That marriage is just a transaction of laziness? No wonder Mike looks at you with such... disgust."
"At least I have children!" Reyna spat, clutching the tiny hands of her sobbing 'next generation.' "And I can have more if I want to."
Brianna's gaze dropped to the two toddlers who looked more like burdens than blessings in Reyna's hands.
"And who's going to feed them?" She asked.
Reyna's face turned ghostly white. She bit her bottom lip so hard it began to turn a bruised purple. She hated Brianna's success, but she hated that look of lofty pity even more.
Without a word, Reyna turned and dragged her toddlers toward the elevator. She glared at her sister through the narrowing gap of the doors until the gold-plated panels slid shut, severing the connection.
Meanwhile, Brianna, whose eyes were still on the elevator doors didn't know Matthew Koch was standing behind her.
"What are you staring at?"
Brianna turned, startled. "Mr. Matthew..."
Matthew Koch cut her off guard. "Dr. Colburn, I would like to apologize for the other day."
Brianna met his gaze, her eyes searching his for a hidden motive.
"I only realized my mistake later," Matthew continued. "I didn't know it was your... Loss Day. I am deeply sorry for being so insensitive."
Surprise crossed Brianna's heart. Despite her feelings about Matthew, she felt genuine gratitude. He didn't have to acknowledge her grief, yet he chose to.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Matthew felt a strange sense of bliss at her acknowledgment. It was the first time he had seen the "Human" behind the "Doctor."
"If you'll excuse me, I have a show to prepare for—"
"No, Dr. Colburn," Matthew interrupted. "Take some time. A week off the show."
Brianna paused. "Are you sure that's okay? The ratings—"
"The show needs a psychologist who is mentally prepared," Matthew's voice dropped to a supportive register. "You need a mental break. Consider it an executive order."
Brianna felt a sudden wave of relief. "Thank you, Mr. Matthew. I appreciate the—"
Buzz. Buzz.
The vibration of her phone in her blazer pocket was electric. She pulled it out, and scanned the ID. It was Senior Mrs. Colburn.
[Come to the estate now. It's urgent.]
Brianna's thumb hovered over the screen. Was it the "finished" job?
Matthew, noticing the shift in her expression, took a gamble and stepped closer.
"Since you're officially on leave, how about dinner tonight? Just a quiet place to clear your head."
Brianna looked up from the screen, "I can't. Something... urgent just came up."
Matthew's face fell slightly, the "Bliss" he felt earlier was beginning to evaporate. But before he could retreat, Brianna added one more thing.
"But I'll be free this Saturday."
Matthew blinked as his heart skipped a beat. It wasn't a "no." It was a promise. His voice suddenly regained confidence. "Next Saturday then. I'll count down the days, Dr. Colburn."
Brianna offered a final, professional nod before walking toward the elevator.