Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 15

Chapter 15:

“If Tracy Haynes is the one you love, I won’t stand in your way. Feel free to go. I’ll explain everything to your grandparents, and we can cancel the wedding before it becomes more complicated.”

Rachel’s words faltered, her voice trailing into silence.

An excruciating ache bloomed in her chest, threatening to overwhelm her composure.

“Perhaps we could maintain the wedding arrangements exactly as they are—just with a different bride. You could marry Tracy, the woman who truly holds your heart, and finally declare your relationship to the world. Brian, let me be perfectly clear about this. You needn’t worry about any interference from me at your wedding. I’ll maintain my distance, ensuring I never intrude upon your happiness again. So tonight, let’s bid each other a peaceful farewell.”

Rachel concluded her speech, but the ensuing silence stretched long and heavy between them.

When she finally gathered the courage to look up, she found Brian’s intense gaze fixed upon her, his eyes smoldering with barely contained fury.

She struggled to comprehend the source of his anger.

She had offered him freedom, graciously stepping aside so he and Tracy could embrace their love openly.

Logic dictated that he should be overjoyed, celebrating this moment of liberation—not standing before her with such raw fury etched across his features.

After what felt like an eternity of tense silence, Brian’s voice emerged, sharp as winter frost. “Is this truly what you wished to convey? Remember, you were the one who pursued me first. I haven’t declared our relationship over, so what gives you the right to walk away?”

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Crimson tinged his eyes. His voice emerged rough and strained. He projected genuine heartbreak in every gesture.

Yet Rachel understood the truth beneath his performance. Brian’s distress stemmed not from reluctance to lose her, but from the wounded pride of a man unaccustomed to rejection. He couldn’t tolerate being dumped. Nothing more complicated than that.

“Brian, I’m exhausted by all this. Can’t we simply part ways peacefully?”

“No.” His rejection resonated with unwavering finality.

He enveloped her in his embrace, his towering frame pressing against hers as his breath whispered across her ear. “You have no permission to leave without my consent.”

Though Rachel attempted to dismiss his words, his actions proved his resolve. One hand glided beneath her nightgown, claiming possession of her slender waist.

His lips traced the delicate curve of her earlobe with deliberate sensuality.

Rachel had always been powerless against his intimate advances.

whenever he chose to torment

Brian’s lips curved into

honey-sweet and hypnotic. “Admit the truth—you still desire me desperately. Your body reveals what your words deny. Stay

her lips, knowing any sound

would seize upon it as evidence

his dominance exceeded even her

buried his face in the graceful column of her neck, marking her with

traveled from neck to chin before

Tell me you still

melting beneath his relentless

managed only a weak protest.

anger flared hot against her skin as he bit down none too gently,

tender kisses, his voice coaxing. “That wasn’t the right

I won’t yield.” Rachel maintained her

mind until she repeated

“Yes, I love you.”

again.” Brian captured her

Rachel’s thoughts scattered like autumn

to rest against

love you beyond reason.” Rachel echoed his words in

to study his

brow with haunting tenderness. Then she spoke, her voice soft but steady. “Brian, perhaps I shouldn’t blame you so harshly. I understand how deeply you resent being coerced, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when you refused Maddox’s million-dollar demand for my safety, even though such an amount means nothing

change to a man of

her words as

a kiss upon her

I’m pleased

exploring fingers suddenly stilled against his

it had been

Brian visibly stiffened.

a moment, he just stood there, frozen, as if Rachel’s question had knocked the wind out of

her to ask

are different. There can be no comparison between the two,” he finally

would have paid that million

herself to voice these painful truths, laying bare

each word carved fresh wounds into her heart, she refused