Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 23

Chapter 23:

Rachel stared at Brian, confused. She couldn’t understand why he was so upset.

Brian reached out, his fingers brushing away the stray strands of hair clinging to her forehead. His gaze was dark and unreadable.

“When something happened to you, the first person you turned to wasn’t me—it was Yvonne. Why?”

Rachel bit down lightly on her lip.

There had been a time when her first instinct was to run to him. But when had that changed? When had she stopped hoping? Maybe it was the moment Tracy came back, and everything shifted.

“I’m exhausted… completely drained,” Rachel whispered. She leaned into his arms, her body sinking against his, unwilling to continue the conversation.

By the time they arrived home, she was already half-asleep.

Brian carried her inside, his movements careful as he helped her freshen up. Even earlier, in the car, he had struggled to hold himself back when he kissed her.

Days of pent-up emotions surged within him, dangerously close to breaking free.

And now, as she soaked in the bathtub, the sheer fabric draped over her dampened skin, clinging delicately to her figure, his restraint frayed further.

“I feel so hot,” Rachel murmured, her voice soft and drowsy as she sighed, sinking deeper into the warmth.

Brian’s control snapped in an instant.

Unable to hold back any longer, he stepped into the tub, his hands sliding around her waist as he lifted her effortlessly onto his lap.

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Beneath the clear water’s reflection, his hands contrasted sharply with the smoothness of her skin.

One held her firmly in place, while the other traced the curve of her lips, his fingers brushing over them in slow, deliberate strokes—again and again—until they deepened in color.

His restraint shattered. Lowering his head, he crushed his lips against hers, devouring her with unrestrained hunger.

The heat in the bathroom thickened, clinging to their skin like steam.

When Brian carried her out of the tub, his mouth still lingered against her collarbone, pressing slow, possessive kisses along its curve.

In the blink of an eye, they were on the bed, and she was pulled into his arms.

But as soon as she sank against him, he stilled. Her body was burning.

Brian frowned, thinking he must have imagined it.

He reached out, pressing the back of his hand to her forehead. It was even hotter than before.

Rachel’s cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, her breath uneven and shallow. He had thought she was simply feverish with desire. But now he realized—she was actually sick.

When the thermometer beeped, it confirmed his suspicion—she had a fever. He wasted no time calling the family doctor.

she was

exactly as it had

and for some reason, that absence

went downstairs, breakfast was already set on the table, neatly arranged and still

spotted her immediately and greeted her with a warm

be starving! I’ve prepared a few options for you. Just let me know what you’d like to eat, and I’ll get

Rachel said, her voice still

milk was placed before her. As she took a bite, the creamy texture

with a good appetite, the housekeeper beamed. “Mr. White is so considerate. He had me prepare

White?” Rachel paused,

all night taking care of you. He didn’t even have time for breakfast before

froze, her spoon hovering

been together for so

if she

concern born from guilt?

knew the

Rachel headed to

was recovering better than she had

body remained fragile, his complexion a little

in the

in a tight hug. “Rachel! This is amazing! I didn’t expect Brian to actually be helpful for once.” She pulled

and I have good news for you. Moira dropped the

widened. “Wait…

pulled a lot of strings behind the scenes. Oh, and Eric wanted to talk to you. He asked me to pass

Rachel frowned slightly.

never met before. And yet, he wanted to meet her? At the

Rachel Marsh,” she greeted, keeping

pleasure. I’m Eric Riley,” he replied with a

before getting straight to the point.

table. “Mr. White has entrusted

stiffened, her breath catching in her throat.

a second, she thought she had

as the words sank in, a rush of joy spread through her. “Mr. Riley, are you

gave a

in divorce and custody battles

joining the Burke Group, he had rarely

making an exception for hers, Rachel felt a surge of

Marsh, I need to go over some details with you. Please be completely honest. If you have any evidence, that would be

tell you everything I

up her meeting with Eric, Rachel’s phone buzzed with an

Brian

“Alright. I’ll be there.”

straight for

Tracy was standing in front of

fitted blouse and sleek pencil skirt accentuated her curves, making her