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.

Ļ∆ťèśţ ¢♄ΔÞţεЯŠ ¡η Ġałиoνєļş.çø₥

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.”

bother hiding the truth. Yvonne was her closest

me to go over there and teach

ahead. Do

Rachel’s approval, Yvonne’s hesitation

arrived with her husband, Norton Burke. But though they were legally bound, they only appeared together when

different. Yvonne stood beside Norton at the entrance, but they quickly went

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

at the bar, she strode over without

slipped from her hand, shattering against the floor. At the same time, crimson liquid splattered across her pristine white dress. The stain

blind? Can’t you watch

her eyes. “Yeah, my vision’s been a little off lately. The only thing I seem to see clearly is a scheming bitch.

recoiled in alarm, her voice shrill. “Are you

definitely.

with rage, her

Yvonne’s face. Her patience snapped. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you’d better apologize. Right now. Immediately.

pulled her shoulders in, feigning distress. “Oh

her hand, ready to slap her. But Yvonne was faster. She stepped back and called out

sudden outburst caught the attention of

Brian turned toward

dark red stains on

in an instant. She put on a delicate,

“Yvonne, you’d better

his tie with delicate fingers. “Don’t be so impatient! I’ll explain. But first…” She gave the silk

a little off.

“What?” Norton asked.

charity auction requires couples—boyfriends and girlfriends, or

“Yes, they did. Why?”

had walked right

“You set

lashes, her expression nothing

looked at Tracy.

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

Norton’s tie and kissed him—slow, deliberate, leaving no room 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.” Her smile

seen that coming. This

a lot had changed

married,” Tracy said, her voice stiff

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

expression darkened, his gaze turning sharp and

wasn’t an accident. I did

was light, but the challenge in her eyes was