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

feels compelled to address any misunderstandings personally,”

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

understand. I never intended any harm. I 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

performance was masterful—every trembling word, each glistening

that typically wrapped men around her finger, Brian

saw through the

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

perfectly constructed mask cracked, revealing

Brian had backfired spectacularly. She’d expected easy forgiveness, not this steel-spined

worse. My attempts at reconciliation have failed. Rachel’s rejection is entirely my

strategically, dabbing at fresh tears with

was seamless, every movement designed

gentle as summer rain. “Here, dry your eyes. I harbor no ill

that?” Tracy’s voice

you in all our years of friendship?” In the expansive office, their gazes intertwined with unmistakable

stood there, his fiancée, watching this scene unfold

herself for this moment, the reality

feel like an outsider—a

now seemed trivial compared to the crushing pressure building

with sweetness as she dabbed her eyes, tugging

to address Rachel

spaces. That embrace earlier stemmed purely from fear, nothing more. You’ve always been so understanding, Rachel. Surely you can

The word

“You seem quite

features,

defiance had clearly

“You hope I can forgive her? Simple enough. She needs only to vanish from our presence, maintain her

she clung to Brian’s sleeve, the perfect picture