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.

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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!”

tightened, ready

dripping down her face, but there was no time to react to her own pain. “Maddox, don’t be reckless!” she shouted. “We can talk this through. You’re not desperate for

mocking laugh. “Talk? About what? I’m not stupid. The company doesn’t forgive traitors. Do you really think

quickly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.

a flicker of hope in Maddox’s darkened eyes. His rage, though still

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

gasped, finally pulling in a

listen to me—if you don’t stop now, you’ll only make things worse. Let me go while you still can.” She knew

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

“Shut the fuck up!”

he pulled out a

skin. His eyes

going now!” Samira didn’t waste another second. She turned and bolted for

door—only to come face-to-face with Tracy. Tracy, having already overheard the phone call,

chance—how could she let it

with no way to trace

she was letting

in? I

not,” Tracy

a matter of life and death.” Samira wasn’t easily deceived. As she spoke, she

you serious? How dare

you—he’s not here. Can’t

tone dripped with irritation,

that mattered. And judging by Tracy’s reaction,

apologies. That was rude of me. I’ll take my leave.” Her voice softened,

let her guard

next second, Samira lunged forward, shoving Tracy aside and dashing toward the office. “Mr. White! I’m Rachel Marsh’s assistant!

grabbed Samira, yanking her toward

her voice ringing through the hallway. “Ms. Marsh is being

was about to be thrown out, Brian ended the teleconference. The inner

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

to her throat,” Samira stammered, her

“Take me there. Now.”

coming too.” Tracy stepped forward, determined

were about to enter the elevator,

panic flaring. “What do we do? Maddox said he’d only

him try,” Brian growled,

dim emergency lighting, Tracy’s lips curved into

Brian, her voice

still in his hands. If we

“We’re taking the

lead, his

Samira quickly