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.

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

a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

to value her life the same way

shout. “If there’s no

his gaze sharp as steel. “In all my years, no one who’s threatened me has lived to boast about it. If you’re smart, release

from Maddox as he tightened his grip on the knife. “Then you leave me no choice. I

pressed against Rachel’s

to shut out the world. The cold metal against her skin made her think of the pain to come—a neck

of such an ugly

devastated to lose her so

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

“Say it,” Maddox demanded.

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

a cruel sneer. “Very

blade, aiming for her stomach with

air as

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

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

her falling form just as security burst

helping her

Rachel shook her head.

happened

was still

but it was Tracy

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

had never mastered the

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

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

had anticipated as

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

Samira nodded. “Alright.”

encountered Brian cradling Tracy, his face etched with

voice wavered.