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.

on, don’t be

all his attention had been on Tracy.

if she had spoken up, it would have been useless. She

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

nothing more

was not someone he

twisted something inside Rachel, and before she could

applying ointment when a drop of

looked up and saw the silent sorrow in

brows furrowed. He assumed

her face. “No, I just… thought of

simply being stubborn,

up into his

need.” But her protests fell on deaf ears—he had already

for sprains, advising

the next few days, Brian was unusually

something as small as getting to the bathroom or taking a bath,

stepped back in time—to the best days of their relationship. Tracy’s name never once came

burning against hers as he held

closed her eyes, melting into his embrace as she wrapped her

to

she nestled against his chest, finding comfort in the steady rhythm

night seemed made for such

harsh ring of his phone shattered their

name illuminated

feigning ignorance, but to her astonishment, Brian

Tracy persisted with a second attempt,

carried through the speaker, deliberately sultry despite her apparent intoxication. “Brian, everything’s spinning. I think I’ve had too much to

He’ll pick you

how you used to take care of me when I drank too much? I’ve always felt safest with you.” Tracy wielded her words with expert precision,

right now. It’s not possible.” Brian

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

reached for Brian’s familiar warmth, finding only empty space. Her searching hands confirmed what her

she finally switched on the light, bitter laughter caught in her throat at the sight of