Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 7

Chapter 7:

Rachel remained unmoved by the ringing phone, her expression a mask of practiced indifference.

“Tell him I’m preoccupied with work,” she stated flatly.

Samira, ever diplomatic, couldn’t mirror such directness. “I apologize, Mr. White, but Ms. Marsh is currently engaged in important matters. I’ll notify her of your message when she’s available.”

“Is that right?” Brian’s voice carried a sharp edge of displeasure. “Have her in my office within five minutes.”

His words fell like ice, brooking no argument.

Uncertainty flickered across Samira’s features. “Ms. Marsh, how should we proceed?”

Rachel drew in a measured breath, meeting her assistant’s concerned gaze. “Prepare the car and wait for me. I won’t be long.”

The moment Rachel’s knuckles met the polished wood of the top-floor office door, Tracy’s honeyed voice drifted through. “Please enter.”

As the door swung open, an electric silence filled the space between their locked gazes.

“Rachel, what a pleasure,” Tracy practically glided forward, her welcome dripping with sweetness.

She extended her hand in greeting.

Rachel deftly sidestepped the attempted contact, her movement subtle but deliberate.

Tracy’s composure faltered, her eyes growing glossy with tears as she turned to Brian. “You see? Rachel hasn’t forgiven me.”

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Unwilling to witness their theatrical display of closeness, Rachel cut to the chase. “Mr. White, what requires my immediate attention?”

Her stilettos had become instruments of torture, the swelling ankle trapped within screaming its protest.

moment of standing increasingly unbearable. She had no time to waste on Tracy’s

personally,” Brian

now?” Rachel’s smile held winter’s chill. “That won’t be necessary. Her apology means nothing

know about your relationship with Brian. I shouldn’t have allowed him to comfort me or sought his help. But my claustrophobia—it overwhelmed me. I was

each

display that typically wrapped men around her finger, Brian

saw through

Haynes, direct this energy toward your professional duties. Your theatrical displays are wasted here. And if you truly respect my relationship with Brian, maintain appropriate boundaries instead of

constructed mask cracked, revealing genuine

She’d expected

made things worse. My attempts at reconciliation have failed.

dabbing at fresh

was seamless, every movement designed to

a tissue, his voice gentle as summer rain. “Here, dry your eyes. I harbor

that?” Tracy’s voice quavered with carefully calculated

course. When have I ever blamed you in all our years of friendship?” In the expansive office, their gazes intertwined with unmistakable tenderness and affection, painting the picture of

this scene

her mental preparations, steeling herself for this moment, the reality

and Tracy complemented each other perfectly, making Rachel feel like

her ankle now seemed trivial compared to the crushing pressure building in her chest, an

with sweetness as she dabbed her eyes, tugging at

to

fear, nothing more. You’ve always been so understanding, Rachel. Surely

The word

frost. “You seem quite confident in reading my thoughts. What makes you so

Brian’s features, surprise evident

had clearly

smile. “You hope I can forgive her? Simple enough. She needs only to vanish

as she clung to