Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 13

Chapter 13:

Rachel’s heart trembled with desperate hope. If he chose her now, in this critical moment, she could forgive every past wound, every painful memory. Even if Tracy still held his heart, his protection in this life-or-death moment would be enough to sustain her.

Hope bloomed in her chest as she waited.

Tracy’s face darkened with displeasure, her fingers curling into tight fists.

Rachel’s easy acceptance of the proposal had caught her off guard.

Composing herself, Tracy softened her voice. “Rachel, spare me your noble gestures. I’m not sacrificing myself out of some grand principle—I simply don’t want Brian caught in an impossible position.”

A bitter smile twisted Rachel’s lips. “How touching. Your devotion truly brings tears to the eyes.”

She had to acknowledge that Tracy’s masterful way of claiming the moral high ground was something she could never match.

“Enough stalling,” Maddox snapped, his patience wearing thin. “Are you switching places or not?”

“Yes,” Tracy declared firmly.

As she stepped forward, Brian’s hand shot out, catching her wrist.

“Brian?” Tracy’s voice wavered.

He pulled her behind him protectively. “This is my battle. Don’t put yourself at risk—stay safe. I couldn’t bear to see you in danger!”

His words pierced Rachel’s heart like shards of glass.

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He couldn’t bear to see Tracy at risk—the truth of where she stood in his heart crystallized with brutal clarity.

No comparison was needed anymore.

Rachel said nothing. After all, what words could describe the ache of realizing she meant less to someone than she had hoped?

Her silence, however, didn’t go unnoticed.

you, but not like this. I can’t sacrifice Tracy’s safety for yours. I can’t

a bitter smile tugging

she ever expect him to value her life the same way he valued

patience snapped. He turned to Brian, his voice rising to a shout. “If there’s no switch, what about the money? Are

sharp as steel. “In all my years, no one who’s threatened

knife. “Then you leave me no choice.

blade pressed against

to shut out the world. The cold metal against her skin made her think

of such an

be devastated

impending blade. Drawing a steady breath, she made one final

“Say it,” Maddox demanded.

strike my neck. Choose anywhere else—my waist, back, stomach—just one clean stab. Grant me a swift death, not

a cruel sneer. “Very well, I’ll honor your final

the blade, aiming for her stomach

the air as his body

her limbs as she landed face-down on the cold floor. Tracy’s

Brian and the blade. The knife tore through her back, crimson blooming across her pristine

security burst

helping her up.

Rachel shook her head.

happened

was still

tried to save her, but it was Tracy who

his heart would surely rise even higher

had never mastered the art of seizing

Haynes is so transparent. I saw

herself in deliberately. He never needed her protection.

had anticipated

injury needs attention. I’m

Samira nodded. “Alright.”

exit, they encountered Brian cradling Tracy, his

wavered.