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 to

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 through. You’re not desperate for money, right? We

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

in her eyes.

sparked a flicker of hope in Maddox’s darkened

on Rachel, he ordered coldly, “Go tell him. Five minutes. If Brian

gasped, finally pulling in a lungful

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

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

“Shut the fuck up!”

he pulled out a

Rachel’s throat, its icy edge biting into her skin. His eyes darkened with vicious determination. “Try anything, and I’ll slice

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

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

the perfect chance—how could

at work, with no way

way she was letting

I need to see

not,” Tracy

have to speak with him—it’s a matter of life and death.” Samira wasn’t easily deceived. As she spoke, she subtly craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse inside the

How dare

not

sharp tone dripped with irritation, but Samira held

saving Rachel was the only thing that mattered. And

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

let her guard

Tracy aside and dashing toward the office. “Mr. White! I’m Rachel Marsh’s

yanking her toward

back, her voice ringing through the hallway. “Ms. Marsh

Brian ended the teleconference. The inner door swung

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

stammered,

“Take me there. Now.”

Tracy stepped forward, determined to

they were about to enter the elevator,

we do? Maddox said he’d only

see him try,” Brian

Tracy’s lips curved

to Brian, her voice gentle,

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

“We’re taking the

that, he took the lead, his strides purposeful

stairs, Samira quickly filled him