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.

guilt, his voice softer now. “Rachel, I’m sorry. I will save you, but not like this.

nodded, a bitter smile tugging at

him to value her life

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

all my years, no one who’s threatened me has lived to boast about

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

blade pressed

metal against her skin made

such an ugly death

would be devastated to lose her so

breath, she made one final request. “Maddox, for the sake of our years working together

“Say it,” Maddox demanded.

back, stomach—just one clean stab. Grant me a swift death, not an ugly

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

the blade, aiming for her

the air as his body

limbs as she landed face-down

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

form just as security burst

helping her up. “Are

Rachel shook her head.

had happened

was still piecing

but it was Tracy who

his heart would surely rise even higher

the art of seizing such

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

herself in deliberately. He

had anticipated as

injury needs attention. I’m taking you to the hospital,” Rachel said, reaching for

Samira nodded. “Alright.”

exit, they encountered Brian cradling

wavered. “Are