Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 5

Chapter 5:

Rachel finally registered the gravity of her provocative words as they hung in the air between them.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” she stammered, heat rising to her cheeks as she struggled to explain herself.

Brian’s imposing figure loomed closer as his fingers wrapped around her wrist. Something stirred within Rachel, and she found herself leaning into him, her arms encircling his frame with gentle desperation.

Her eyes sought his, luminous with unspoken pleas. “Brian, please don’t keep Tracy as your secretary,” she whispered, clinging to him. “If you truly want to help her, find her a position at another company. Otherwise, I cannot help but feel jealous.”

The warmth between them shattered as Brian wrenched his arm away.

His expression hardened into something unrecognizable. “I’ve always admired your generous spirit. But your treatment of Tracy seems unnecessarily mean. She’s newly returned and struggling to find her footing. I’m merely offering assistance.”

Rachel’s teeth worried her lower lip as the fight drained from her.

The stark contrast between love and indifference had never felt more apparent.

“You’re determined to help her, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” came his unwavering reply.

Rachel gazed at him, her heart splintering beneath the weight of his conviction. She pressed a hand against her chest, a bitter smile twisting her features. “Tell me, am I truly such an unreasonable, small-minded partner in your eyes?” His silence cut deeper than any words could have.

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Something snapped within her. She seized a pillow and hurled it at him, tears streaming unchecked down her face. “You’re right about everything! I’m jealous, hot-headed, and intolerant. That’s who I am, petty to the core. Just leave! I can’t bear to look at you anymore!” Another pillow followed the first.

Brian caught it deftly, his expression darkening as their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.

In all their time together, Rachel had been his refuge of endless patience and affection, rarely displaying such raw anger.

Even during their disputes, she had always been the first to extend an olive branch.

him and whisper, “I’m sorry, it was my fault,”

as one minute bled into three, she remained resolute in her stance. His jaw tightened, his features carved from ice. “Rest well. Someone

slammed behind him with such

across her exposed skin—skin that his hands had

seeking warmth

at his obvious anger. “Son, did you have a fight with her?”

count herself fortunate

handle my relationship as I see fit. This doesn’t concern

can this not

descending the stairs to light two cigarettes

waited, hoping to hear Rachel’s footsteps following him

past, she would have descended those stairs with

puppy-like devotion, tears

expression never failed to pierce his defenses. Inevitably, his anger would dissolve,

had always culminated in passionate embraces, their bodies intertwined as if separation was

his every wish and

her discomfort, she strived to please him, allowing him

had left him deeply satisfied in

their established pattern.

minutes, but

on, but the

commanded, his voice sharp

a commotion would draw

behind him,

felt like a

his body radiating cold

uncomfortably. “Sir, we’ve reached the

Rachel to notice him,

the tactic reeked of childishness.