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.

voice softer now. “Rachel, I’m sorry. I will save you, but not like this. I can’t sacrifice Tracy’s safety for yours. I

tugging

value her life the same

rising to a shout. “If there’s no switch, what about

to ice, his gaze sharp as steel. “In all my years, no one who’s threatened me has lived to

grip on the knife. “Then you leave me no choice. I

pressed against Rachel’s

metal against her skin made her think

thought of such an

grandparents would be devastated to lose her so

of their heartbreak almost hurt more than the impending blade. Drawing a steady breath, she made one final request. “Maddox, for the sake of our years working together on the same project, grant

“Say it,” Maddox demanded.

back, stomach—just one clean stab. Grant me a swift death,

twisted into a cruel sneer. “Very

for her stomach with deadly

Brian’s desperate shout pierced the air as his body launched forward with

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

and the blade. The knife tore through her back, crimson blooming across her pristine dress like spilled

form just as security burst in, subduing Maddox with swift

to Rachel’s side, helping

Rachel shook her head.

had happened too

was still

tried to save her, but it was Tracy who

position in his heart would surely rise even higher

had never mastered the

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

in deliberately. He never needed her protection. It’s

had anticipated

on it. Your head injury needs attention. I’m taking you to the hospital,” Rachel said, reaching for Samira’s

Samira nodded. “Alright.”

the exit, they encountered Brian cradling Tracy, his face etched with unprecedented

wavered. “Are