Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 18

Chapter 18:

After yelling, Rachel felt an odd sense of relief.

But Brian’s expression turned ice-cold.

His fingers tightened around her chin, his voice low and laced with warning.

“Say that again, Rachel. I dare you.”

She met his glare head-on, unflinching.

These weren’t baseless accusations—she had nothing to fear.

Her voice was clear and steady. “I said—you’re disgusting.”

Brian let out a sharp laugh, though there was no humor in it. “You’ve got some nerve.”

His eyes darkened as he stepped back. “Don’t come crawling to me later.” With a final, searing look, he spun on his heel and stormed out.

Downstairs, Ronald stood waiting.

When he noticed Brian’s stormy mood—and the fact that Rachel hadn’t followed—he could guess how things had gone.

“Sir, should we head to the charity gala now?”

Brian shot him a sharp look. “Without a date? What for?” His lips curled in irritation. “Or do you plan on putting on a dress and keeping me company?”

Ronald swallowed hard. Good grief! Why did he have to be the one dealing with this?

Just as he was about to make the call to cancel the event, Brian waved a hand dismissively. “Call Tracy.”

“Got it,” Ronald replied.

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That evening, Tracy arrived at the charity gala on Brian’s arm.

When Yvonne Jimenez spotted them, her gaze turned sharp, cold fury simmering beneath the surface.

She snapped a picture and sent it straight to Rachel.

“What’s this about? Brian’s parading that woman around like she belongs next to him.”

the truth. Yvonne

and teach her

ahead. Do

Rachel’s approval,

Norton Burke. But though they were legally bound, they only appeared together when necessary—at formal gatherings or under

Norton at the

toward each other, glasses in hand, caught up in conversation. Yvonne took the chance to make

the bar, she strode over

her hand, shattering against the floor. At the same time, crimson liquid

temper flared instantly. “Are you blind? Can’t you watch

blinked innocently and rubbed her eyes. “Yeah, my vision’s been a little off lately. The only thing I seem to see clearly is a scheming bitch. But, you know, that dress actually looks better with the red. Adds some character.” She tilted her glass slightly, as

alarm, her voice shrill. “Are

definitely.

rage, her

expression off Yvonne’s face. Her patience snapped. “I don’t know

distress.

slap her. But Yvonne was faster. She stepped back and called out dramatically, “Norton Burke!

outburst caught the attention

Brian turned

trailed to the dark red

She put on a delicate, pitiful

“Yvonne,

stepping forward and straightening his tie with delicate fingers. “Don’t be so impatient! I’ll explain.

off. Now, answer me

“What?” Norton asked.

organizers mentioning that this charity auction requires couples—boyfriends and girlfriends,

“Yes, they did. Why?”

Norton—he had walked

“You set

batted her lashes, her expression nothing

a heartbeat, her gaze turned razor-sharp as she looked at Tracy. “Did you catch that? This isn’t exactly

to Norton, her voice rising with frustration. “Norton,

for doubt. Then she pulled back and smirked. “Let me spell it out for you. He’s my husband. I’m his wife, Yvonne Jimenez. And another thing—I can’t stand hearing women call my husband’s name with such familiarity, so find another way to address him.”

seen that coming. This woman was

a lot had changed while

you were married,” Tracy said, her voice stiff

terrible reputation, and I didn’t want you tainting our

Norton’s expression darkened, his gaze

did it to put her in her

but the challenge in her eyes was