Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 12

Chapter 12:

Rachel wanted to speak, but her face had turned a deep, suffocating red. She could barely draw in a breath.

Maddox’s voice was a furious snarl. “Bitch! You forgive everyone else, but you’re determined to ruin me. I gave you a chance—you threw it away. Fine. If that’s how you want it, don’t blame me for what happens next. You brought this on yourself.”

Rachel’s vision blurred as her lungs burned for air. Her body felt weightless, and consciousness slipped from her grasp.

But in that moment of desperation, her gaze landed on her phone.

The call to Brian hadn’t disconnected.

With the last of her strength, she reached out, her fingers trembling, and forced out a strangled whisper. “Brian… save me…”

On the other end, voices stirred.

Tracy’s light, casual tone broke through. “Brian, your phone rang. I picked up for you—hope you don’t mind.”

“Who was it?” Brian asked, sounding disinterested.

“Rachel. Probably work-related.”

Annoyance flickered across his face. Lately, all their conversations seemed to revolve around work. He wasn’t in the mood.

“I accidentally hung up. Maybe you should call her back,” Tracy said breezily.

But Brian’s phone was still connected.

Rachel knew that Tracy had intentionally let her overhear their conversation.

Get lost in stories on gⱯlnσν𝒆ℓs﹒𝓬𝓸𝓶

It was a deliberate move meant to drive a wedge.

And it worked.

Brian’s voice came through, indifferent. “Forget it. If it’s important, she’ll call again.” Since it was just work, he figured Rachel would eventually reach out. “Okay.”

With a bright, sweet smile, Tracy ended the call and handed the phone back to Brian.

Rachel closed her eyes. A quiet, crushing despair filled her chest.

A single tear slipped down her cheek.

She stopped struggling. Maddox wasn’t going to let her go.

“Rachel, go to hell!”

ready to

was no time to react to her own

what? I’m not stupid. The company

steady despite the fear in her eyes. “But someone else

darkened eyes. His rage, though

coldly, “Go tell him. Five minutes. If Brian isn’t here by then,

in a

stop now,

more than being backed into a corner, especially when it came to business.

“Shut the fuck up!”

pulled

biting into her skin. His eyes darkened with vicious

stay calm. I’m going now!” Samira didn’t waste another second. She

she pounded on the door—only to come face-to-face with Tracy. Tracy, having

was the perfect chance—how could she let it go to

Rachel were to die right here at work, with no way

she

White in? I need

not,” Tracy answered

of life and death.” Samira wasn’t easily deceived. As she spoke, she subtly craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse inside the office. Tracy’s expression

How

you—he’s not

tone dripped with irritation, but Samira held

the only thing that mattered. And

was rude of me. I’ll take my leave.” Her voice softened, her demeanor turning

her guard

and dashing toward the office. “Mr.

grabbed Samira, yanking her toward

Marsh is being held at knifepoint! Please, you have to

she was about to be thrown out, Brian ended the teleconference. The inner door swung open, and he strode out, his tall frame casting

cold as steel, cut through the tension. “Say that again. What

Clarkson has a knife to her throat,” Samira stammered,

“Take me there. Now.”

too.” Tracy stepped forward, determined to

to

flaring. “What do we do? Maddox said

like to see him try,” Brian growled,

lighting, Tracy’s lips

to Brian, her voice gentle,

in his hands. If

hesitate. “We’re

he took the lead, his strides purposeful and

the stairs, Samira quickly filled him in