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.”

Rachel didn’t bother hiding the truth. Yvonne was her closest friend—their bond forged through shared

to go over there and teach her a lesson?”

ahead. Do whatever

Rachel’s approval, Yvonne’s hesitation

legally bound, they only appeared together when necessary—at formal gatherings or under the pressure of

at

old acquaintances, gravitated toward each other, glasses in hand, caught up in conversation. Yvonne took

at the bar, she strode

Tracy’s wine glass suddenly slipped from her hand, shattering against the floor. At the same time, crimson liquid splattered across her pristine white dress. The stain stood out starkly, ruining its

flared instantly. “Are you blind?

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

recoiled in alarm, her voice shrill. “Are

grinned, unfazed. “Oh, definitely.

trembled with rage, her

know who you think you are, but you’d better apologize. Right now. Immediately.

shoulders in, feigning distress. “Oh no, I’m just trembling

ready to slap her. But Yvonne was

the attention of the two

Brian turned toward

trailed to the dark red

demeanor shifted in an instant. She put on a delicate, pitiful expression and cast

“Yvonne, you’d

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

off.

“What?” Norton asked.

charity auction

“Yes, they did. Why?”

Norton—he had

“You set

She batted her lashes, her expression nothing but pure mischief. “Your answer was

a heartbeat, her gaze turned razor-sharp as she looked at Tracy. “Did you catch that?

to Norton, her

pulled back and smirked. “Let me spell it out for you. He’s my husband. I’m his wife, Yvonne Jimenez. And another

that coming. This woman was Norton’s

a lot had changed while she was

idea you were married,” Tracy said, her voice stiff with

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

expression darkened, his

“I poured the wine. My hand was steady, so no, it wasn’t an accident. I did it to put her in her place. But if that upsets you, Mr. White, you can always marry her and

light, but the challenge in her