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!”

grip tightened, ready to end

at that moment, Samira’s eyes fluttered open. She took in the scene, blood still 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

let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Talk? About what? I’m not stupid. The company doesn’t

quickly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. “But someone else does. Mr. Brian White

words sparked a flicker of hope in Maddox’s darkened eyes.

his grip on Rachel, he ordered coldly, “Go tell him. Five minutes. If Brian isn’t here by then,

pulling in a lungful

but listen to me—if you don’t stop now, you’ll only make things worse. Let me go while you

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

“Shut the fuck up!”

he pulled

against Rachel’s throat, its icy edge biting into her skin. His eyes darkened with vicious determination. “Try

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

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

perfect chance—how could she

Rachel were to die right here at work, with no way to trace it back to her, it would be

she

I need

not,” Tracy answered

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

How

told you—he’s not here. Can’t you hear

sharp tone dripped with irritation, but

thing that mattered. And judging by Tracy’s reaction, Brian was

of me. I’ll take

let her guard

and dashing toward the

immediately grabbed Samira, yanking her toward

ringing through the hallway. “Ms. Marsh

thrown out, Brian ended the teleconference. The inner door swung open, and he strode

steel, cut through the tension. “Say that again. What happened to

has a knife to her throat,” Samira stammered, her breath unsteady. “He

“Take me there. Now.”

too.” Tracy stepped forward, determined

they were about to enter the elevator, it suddenly

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

Brian growled, his

dim emergency lighting, Tracy’s lips curved into the

Brian, her

lose your head. Rachel’s still in his hands. If we panic, she’s the one

didn’t hesitate. “We’re

lead, his strides

stairs, Samira