Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 6

Chapter 6:

Debby let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh, shaking her head as if she had just heard the most absurd thing in the world. “Rachel, you really won’t believe it until reality slaps you in the face, will you?”

“Maybe!” Rachel shot back with a shrug.

Still, if the day ever came when Brian told her to leave—if he said he wanted Tracy instead, that Tracy was the one he truly loved—she wouldn’t beg. She would walk away without looking back, vanishing from his world completely.

But that day hadn’t come yet. And right now, she had no intention of letting Brian go.

The days stretched into an abyss of silence between Rachel and Brian.

Neither reached out, pride and pain forming an invisible barrier.

Concerned Brian’s grandma might sense her turmoil, Rachel fabricated an excuse to return home the following day.

Though she had planned to resume work the following Monday, fate had other plans.

Early Friday morning, her assistant’s urgent call shattered her solitude. “Ms. Marsh, Titan Innovations has suddenly rejected our design. The contract signing is in jeopardy.”

“This can’t be happening!” Rachel’s professional instincts kicked in. “I’ll be there immediately.”

She rushed to the company, her usually immaculate appearance somewhat disheveled from haste.

The elevator doors parted with a soft chime, and Rachel stepped inside before registering the occupants.

Her heart stumbled in her chest—Brian stood there with Tracy at his side.

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Pride kept her rooted in place; she had done nothing wrong to warrant retreat. She turned away, presenting her back to them as silence descended like a heavy curtain.

The lingering scent of tobacco wrapped around her senses, a reminder of Brian’s recent smoke.

Tracy’s honeyed voice pierced the quiet. “Brian, I know you smoke for social occasions, but it’s harmful. Please try to cut back.”

I will,” Brian

twisted like a

same request, only to be rebuffed with his cold response: “Men don’t appreciate being controlled by women.

contrast left a bitter

the elevator display. A few more floors. Just a

shattered her concentration.

her

turned to Brian, her voice laden with concern. “Brian, have you two quarreled?

you.” Brian’s gentle tone felt like another betrayal. “Don’t blame

limit. She had no intention of staying in

elevator doors were about to open, the lights flickered—then everything went black. A split second later, the

stopped. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she reached out

grasped at

she called,

happening? Are we going to

tighten, cold sweat breaking out

violently, her breath shallow, her heart hammering

the chaos, Brian’s steady voice cut through. “Don’t be afraid. Give

reached out, waiting for that familiar warmth

But she was wrong.

Her hand grasped nothing.

plummeting. Rachel curled into herself, pulling her knees close to

her clothes as she bit her lip, anchoring herself

As she lifted her head, the harsh fluorescent glare revealed a scene that

made no move to distance himself from Tracy’s

bear the sight any longer,

from her desperate flight or an injury sustained during the elevator’s plunge, searing pain shot through her ankle by the time she reached her office. Yet

removed her shoes, revealing an angry swelling that

concern as she rushed forward. “Oh, God! Your ankle looks

insisted, pushing

expression grave. “We’ve uncovered something disturbing. A small company has presented an almost identical design at a significantly lower price point, prompting Titan Innovations to reconsider. Here’s their

she examined the designs. This

you have their company