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.

I’m sorry. I will save you, but not like this. I can’t sacrifice Tracy’s safety

bitter smile tugging at her

him to value her life the same way

voice rising to a shout. “If there’s no switch, what about the money? Are you paying or

years, no one who’s threatened me has lived

Maddox as he tightened his grip on the knife. “Then you leave

pressed

the world. The cold metal against

an ugly death

grandparents would be devastated to lose

impending blade. Drawing a steady breath, she made one final request. “Maddox, for the sake of our years working

“Say it,” Maddox demanded.

anywhere else—my waist, back, stomach—just one clean stab. Grant me

into a cruel sneer.

for her stomach with deadly

shout pierced the air as his body launched forward with

the floor. Pain radiated through her limbs as she landed face-down on the cold floor. Tracy’s panicked cry shattered the moment. “Brian,

Tracy hurled herself between Brian and the blade. The knife tore through her back, crimson blooming across her pristine dress

as security

rushed to Rachel’s side, helping

Rachel shook her head.

had happened too

still

to save her, but it was Tracy who

tasted bitter—Tracy’s position in his heart would surely

had never mastered the art of seizing

transparent. I saw everything clearly. Maddox’s attack was amateur—Mr.

in deliberately. He never

had anticipated as

not dwell on it. Your head injury needs attention. I’m taking you to the hospital,” Rachel

Samira nodded. “Alright.”

approached the exit, they encountered Brian cradling Tracy, his face

voice wavered. “Are you…