Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

As soon as Rachel spoke, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears,

But she quickly blinked them away, brushing them aside with a swift movement of her hand.

Then, she shoved Brian away, her voice laced with defiance. “I don’t need you fussing over me. I can take care of myself.”

Brian’s grip remained firm as his voice took on a steely edge. “Stay still. Don’t move. You should know by now that my patience has its limits.”

His legendary temper, particularly when provoked, was no secret to anyone.

Rachel felt herself shrinking under his intensity, becoming as still as a statue. She perched there, docile as a schoolgirl, while a comforting warmth spread across her ankle from his careful examination.

Rising to his feet, Brian announced, “Wait here while I check the kitchen. Don’t move an inch.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

When he returned moments later, an ice pack clutched in his hands, she instinctively recoiled.

His touch remained gentle as he steadied her foot. “The cold will be uncomfortable at first, but your ankle’s swelling needs this. Just endure it briefly — I’ll work quickly.”

Rachel found herself nodding without conscious thought.

After applying the ice, Brian’s gaze swept over her with grave concern. “Are there other injuries I should know about?”

“You’re certain?”

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“Yes.”

He didn’t look convinced. His hand moved as if to unbutton her sleeve. “No, I need to check for myself.”

He knew she had a habit of getting hurt and keeping quiet about it. What could be more foolish?

After ensuring there were no other injuries, he finally eased back.

now on, don’t be stubborn.

all his attention had been on Tracy. His thoughts, his heart—everything revolved around

spoken up, it would have been useless. She would have been overshadowed, dismissed like

he had loved for years, the one he had placed on a

nothing more than a

not someone he

something inside Rachel, and before

middle of applying ointment when

the silent sorrow in

still hurt?” His brows furrowed. He assumed she was

hurriedly wiped her face. “No, I just… thought of

being

up into his arms. “We’re going to

her protests fell on

doctor prescribed medication for sprains, advising Rachel to rest for several days and avoid unnecessary

the next few days, Brian was unusually

the bathroom or taking a bath, he carried

felt like they had stepped back in time—to the best days

her ankle finally healed—he kissed her again and again, his body burning against hers as he held

her eyes, melting into his embrace as she

they ascended to heights of

finding comfort in the steady

seemed made for such intimate

of his phone shattered

name illuminated

feigning ignorance, but to her astonishment, Brian declined

persisted with a second attempt, he answered while

speaker, deliberately sultry despite her apparent intoxication. “Brian, everything’s spinning. I think

your location. He’ll pick

you used to take care of me when I drank too much? I’ve always felt safest with you.” Tracy wielded

It’s not possible.”

as she drifted into the deepest, most peaceful sleep she’d known in ages. But in the dead of

only empty space. Her searching

caught in her throat at the sight of his