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,”

simple exchange twisted like a knife in

with his cold response: “Men don’t appreciate

contrast left a bitter taste in

rising numbers of the elevator display.

voice shattered

her silence,

with concern. “Brian, have you two quarreled?

about you.” Brian’s gentle tone felt

no intention of staying in that confined

were about to open, the lights flickered—then everything went black. A split second later, the elevator lurched violently and began to

and without thinking, she reached out in the

fingers grasped at empty

called, her voice

frantic sobbing. “Brian, what’s happening?

chest tighten,

shallow, her heart hammering so loudly she

the chaos, Brian’s steady voice cut through.

hesitation, she reached out, waiting

But she was wrong.

Her hand grasped nothing.

elevator kept plummeting. Rachel curled into herself, pulling her knees close

into her clothes as she bit her lip,

her head, the harsh fluorescent glare revealed a scene that pierced her heart—Tracy nestled

no move to distance himself

sight any longer, Rachel fled the

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

just as Rachel had removed her shoes,

filled with concern as she rushed forward. “Oh, God! Your ankle looks terrible! Let me

situation takes priority,” Rachel insisted, pushing aside her discomfort. “Brief

has presented an almost identical design at a significantly lower price point, prompting Titan Innovations

as she examined the designs. This

have their company