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 knife in

she made the same request, only to be rebuffed with his

left a bitter

eyes onto the rising numbers of the elevator display. A

voice shattered her concentration.

maintained her

laden with concern. “Brian, have you two quarreled? If I’m the cause,

about you.” Brian’s gentle tone felt like

had no intention of staying in that confined

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

surged through her, and without thinking,

fingers grasped at empty

called, her voice

only response was Tracy’s frantic sobbing. “Brian, what’s happening? Are we going to die?

pitch-black void around her made her chest tighten, cold

her breath shallow, her heart hammering so loudly she could barely hear anything

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

reached out, waiting

But she was wrong.

Her hand grasped nothing.

pulling her

clothes as she

As she lifted her head, the harsh fluorescent glare revealed a scene that pierced her heart—Tracy nestled in Brian’s protective embrace, dabbing at her tears with

distance himself from Tracy’s fragile

the sight any longer, Rachel fled the

during the elevator’s plunge, searing pain shot through her ankle by the time she reached her office. Yet the physical agony paled in

as Rachel had removed her shoes, revealing an angry swelling that

“Oh, God! Your ankle looks terrible! Let me get some ointment right

Titan Innovations situation takes priority,” Rachel insisted, pushing aside her discomfort.

her expression grave. “We’ve uncovered something disturbing. A small company has presented an almost identical design at a

designs. This wasn’t

have their company