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.

save you, but

smile tugging at

him to value her life the same way

He turned to Brian, his voice rising to a shout. “If there’s

“In all my years, no one who’s threatened me has lived to boast about it. If you’re

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

pressed against Rachel’s

cold metal against her skin made her think of the pain to come—a neck wound

an ugly

be devastated to

their heartbreak almost hurt more than the impending blade. Drawing a steady breath, she made one final request. “Maddox, for

“Say it,” Maddox demanded.

anywhere else—my waist, back, stomach—just one clean

lips twisted into a cruel sneer. “Very well,

for

the air as his body

force slammed into Rachel, sending her crashing to the floor. Pain radiated through her limbs as she landed face-down on the cold floor. Tracy’s panicked cry shattered the moment. “Brian,

of white, Tracy hurled herself between Brian and the blade. The knife tore through her back, crimson

form just as security burst in, subduing Maddox with swift

side, helping her up. “Are

Rachel shook her head.

happened too

mind was still

it was Tracy who

tasted bitter—Tracy’s position in his heart would

never mastered the art of

“Tracy Haynes is so transparent. I saw everything clearly. Maddox’s attack was amateur—Mr. White

in deliberately. He

anticipated

it. Your head injury needs attention. I’m taking you to

Samira nodded. “Alright.”

encountered Brian cradling Tracy, his

voice wavered. “Are