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.

gαℓ ησ ν? ℓs․com is your story hub

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 agreed

exchange twisted like a

be rebuffed with his cold response: “Men don’t appreciate being controlled by women.

bitter

her eyes onto the rising numbers of the elevator display. A few

shattered

her silence,

concern. “Brian, have you two quarreled? If I’m the cause, I should apologize. Don’t let

gentle tone felt like another betrayal.

She had no intention of staying in that confined space a second

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

heart stopped. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she

grasped at empty

she called,

happening? Are we going to

made her chest tighten, cold sweat breaking

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

Brian’s steady voice cut through. “Don’t be

breath caught. Without hesitation, she reached out, waiting

But she was wrong.

Her hand grasped nothing.

curled into herself, pulling her knees close to

she bit her

until the elevator lights sputtered back to life. As she lifted her head, the harsh fluorescent glare revealed a scene that pierced her heart—Tracy nestled in Brian’s protective embrace,

to distance himself from

sight any longer, Rachel fled

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 the physical agony paled in comparison to the emotional

as Rachel had removed her shoes, revealing an angry swelling

as she rushed forward. “Oh, God!

situation takes priority,” Rachel insisted, pushing aside

documents, her 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 wasn’t mere inspiration—it

you have their