Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Brian gave a slight nod. “Go ahead.”

Rachel drew in a deep breath, steadying herself. “If, after two years, you’re still unwilling to acknowledge our relationship, I’ll walk away without a fuss. All I ask is that you don’t stand in my way when I choose to leave you.” Her voice wavered, each word feeling like a thorn lodged in her throat.

“Alright. I agree.”

Yet, even as the words left his lips, an unsettling feeling crept into his chest—a quiet, formless panic, like a storm brewing on a distant horizon.

“Good,” she whispered, curling her fingers into fists, letting the sharp bite of her nails anchor her to the moment.

Two years. That was the limit she had set for herself.

From the age of fifteen, she had loved him—eight long years of devotion, of chasing shadows and hoping for warmth. Two more years, and it would be a full decade.

It was enough time to shake the firmest convictions, to erode even the most unyielding hearts.

If by then Brian still couldn’t love her, she would step back and give him the freedom he never had to ask for.

But deep down, she prayed—prayed that day would never come, that she would never have to walk away from the life she had built around him.

As soon as Brian left for work, Rachel’s phone rang. Seeing the caller was Brian’s grandma, she quickly answered.

“Rachel, are you off today?” Carol White’s warm, familiar voice filled her ears. “Come home quickly, I had your favorite dishes flown in fresh this morning!”

𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Rachel couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, I’ll be there soon.” After a quick touch-up, she set out immediately.

Upon arriving at the White family’s estate, she stepped out of the car—only for the world to tilt unexpectedly. A wave of dizziness washed over her.

The driver beside her reacted swiftly, steadying her. “Be careful. Are you feeling alright?”

up too fast. My blood sugar tends to

best of health lately. Perhaps it was

she had to start taking better care

living room, Rachel’s

she greeted,

to mask her distaste, merely glanced at her before

realize Carol invited you for lunch, don’t you? Look at the time—punctuality clearly isn’t your strong suit.” Her

gaze, momentarily at

gentle warmth enveloped

turned to Debby with a mild yet firm expression. “Rachel has always been thoughtful. If she was delayed, I’m sure it wasn’t

slightly. She had never known a mother’s love—her own mother had died on the operating table the

as for her father? Cold and distant, he wasn’t

had ever known

have known what it

exasperated huff. “She’s a grown woman now.

her—as long as I draw breath. Anyone who dares

gentle authority, she guided Rachel to the seat beside her. “Come here,

forcing Debby to suppress her rising frustration. A bitter jealousy

resembled Carol’s long-deceased daughter, basked in boundless

was marrying an illegitimate daughter. The injustice of it all burned in

darkened while Carol

must be working too hard lately,” Carol observed, noting Rachel’s pallor with concern. “You’ve grown so thin. Please eat more. If Brian isn’t taking proper care

food? They’ve been together ages with no sign of

thinking of the condoms in her bedroom. She understood their eagerness for a grandchild—she yearned for motherhood herself—but Brian

together forever, and my son’s health is perfect. Other women conceive within weeks, yet after a year, still nothing. You could have had a great-grandchild by now if he

half of the words struck home with

broached the subject

If there are health concerns, modern medicine offers many solutions. Even IVF

swelled

remained steadfast. Overwhelmed, she embraced Carol