Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 8

Chapter 8:

In the blink of an eye, Brian’s long strides brought him closer, his face etched with concern.

Tracy, sensing his concern, quickly reassured him. “Brian, please don’t worry. It was all my fault earlier. I wasn’t holding the cup properly. Rachel had no part in this.”

Rachel’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile, her eyes cold with disdain. For a brief moment, when Brian had approached, she had allowed herself to believe that he might actually care, that his concern was for her.

Her heart had softened, only to be shattered by the realization that she was wrong.

He wasn’t here for her, only rushing to protect Tracy.

Rachel’s expression hardened, her voice devoid of emotion as she finally spoke. “This has nothing to do with me,” she said, her tone calm but cutting. “If I had wanted to hurt her, the whole cup of coffee would have been thrown at her, not just a few splashes.”

Brian’s expression darkened, an unreadable intensity settling in his eyes. Before he could stop himself, his hand reached out, fingers curling firmly around Rachel’s wrist. “Rachel…” he murmured, his voice husky, laced with an unfamiliar hesitation.

The sound of his voice, once a balm to Rachel’s soul, now sent a jagged ache through her chest. She steeled herself, masking the storm beneath her calm exterior. “Release me,” she said quietly, though the faint tremor in her words betrayed her.

Brian, however, didn’t release her. Instead, his grip only tightened.

Rachel inhaled deeply, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Alright then,” she said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of something unspoken. “Tell me, do you even know what I’m afraid of?”

“You…” Brian faltered, taken aback by her question. He was momentarily lost for words, realizing how little he understood her.

Lᴀt𝑒st chαptєrs in ɢ𝓪lnovels.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Forget it,” she said quietly, her hand slipping from his as she pushed him gently away. “I must have been asking for too much.”

Rachel turned away, her footsteps steady, yet each step carried the weight of an unbearable truth. She didn’t glance back, unwilling to reveal the turmoil within. Though her exterior remained composed, the pain had already carved deep wounds in her heart.

Brian had always remembered everything about Tracy; her fears, her anxieties, the little details that made her who she was. He knew she was afraid of darkness and confined spaces. But he…

was terrified of the dark, that the sensation of sudden drops and falling sent a

beginning, their lives had been shaped by loss. Their mother had died during childbirth, leaving them in the hands of a father and grandmother who had

by her side. At least she wasn’t completely alone. But everything

and expecting nothing from anyone. Everything worsened when Moira Haynes became their stepmother. Eager to keep his new wife content, their father ensured Rachel and her brother remained

secrets, too shameful to acknowledge, they spent their days

discovery meant punishment. If Moira ever found out about them, the consequences would

visceral terror that seeped into her bones, a fear so deep it consumed

walking, forcing herself forward as she always had, one painful step

His expression was one of surprise. “Ms. Marsh, why are you leaving?” he asked, clearly caught

heavy between them. It was obvious Brian had sent him to buy the ointment for Tracy. Yet, the sting of that realization still hit

elevator, he noticed the subtle limp in Rachel’s stride, her unsteady and strained gait. He

avoided his gaze, her voice tight as she answered, “You should go. Brian

to the office, he quickly realized

approached Brian’s desk, Brian looked up at him, his tone casual

tone playful yet insistent. “Brian, I only want you to

With a quiet sigh, he handed the ointment

with frustration. “If it’s too much trouble, I can have Ronald take you to the

her pride taking over. “No, I can do

for a moment of attention, perhaps a sign of connection. But as she watched Brian immersed in

in quiet annoyance, and with a deep sigh, she decided to leave.

Samira arrived at the modest office, their eyes quickly

introverted, and looked as though she had just stepped out of school. Her appearance struck a

woman across from them looked up

the design draft on the table, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with the woman. “I think you recognize this,” she

widened in surprise as she examined the draft.

alterations. What you’ve done is not only plagiarism, it’s also an infringement of my intellectual property.” She paused, giving the woman time to absorb her words. “I expect you to retract your

of confusion and realization. She struggled to comprehend

happening? She seems lost. Do you think she’s feigning ignorance, or is

the woman.

“Alright,” Samira replied.