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 agreed

like a knife in

rebuffed with his cold response: “Men don’t appreciate

bitter

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

voice shattered

maintained her silence,

two

it’s not about you.” Brian’s gentle tone felt like another betrayal. “Don’t

limit. She had no intention of staying

went

her, and without thinking, she

grasped at empty

called,

sobbing. “Brian, what’s happening? Are we

her made her chest tighten,

heart hammering so

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

hesitation, she reached out, waiting for that familiar warmth to

But she was wrong.

Her hand grasped nothing.

Rachel curled into herself, pulling her

fingers dug into her clothes as she bit her lip, anchoring

harsh fluorescent glare revealed a scene that pierced her heart—Tracy nestled in Brian’s protective embrace, dabbing at her tears with an air of

move to distance himself from Tracy’s

to bear the sight any longer, Rachel fled the

pain shot through her ankle by the time she reached her office. Yet the physical agony paled in comparison to the emotional torment that gripped

removed her shoes, revealing

she rushed forward. “Oh, God! Your ankle looks terrible! Let me get some ointment right

situation takes priority,” Rachel insisted, pushing aside

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

the designs. This wasn’t mere inspiration—it was

have their