Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 36

Chapter 36:

Rachel’s eyes widened, her voice brimming with genuine admiration. “Trey, you’re incredibly pretty!”

In that fleeting moment, she found herself struck by how similar he was to Jeffrey. The resemblance was uncanny: the same age, the same height, and a striking similarity in their features. If only life had treated Jeffrey more kindly, if illness hadn’t stolen his childhood, he could have blossomed into a confident, vibrant young man, just like Trey.

Trey, momentarily taken aback, scratched his head with an awkward grin. “That’s… unexpected. You’ve got me blushing here.”

Rachel’s thoughts drifted once again, momentarily lost in memories of Jeffrey. She stared at Trey, almost seeing only Jeffrey in him, a bittersweet ache in her chest.

“Wait a second,” Rachel suddenly exclaimed, her voice sharp with realization.

Trey stiffened, instinctively halting his movements. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.

With a slow, deliberate motion, Rachel reached out, her delicate fingers combing through his soft hair as the light from the sun danced around them. Her touch was as gentle as the softest breeze, tender and soothing.

“All set,” Rachel said, admiring her work. After a few careful adjustments, she smiled, satisfied. “This style suits you much better, don’t you think?”

Trey didn’t even glance at himself in the mirror, simply nodding enthusiastically. “If you say so, I’ll keep it this way from now on.”

Meanwhile, just outside the hospital room, Brian stood in the shadows, his expression cold and unreadable.

His voice was sharp as he addressed Ronald. “Find a way to get him out of here.”

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“Understood, sir,” Ronald responded quickly, sensing the tension in Brian’s tone.

Moments later, Trey’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then turned to Rachel with an apologetic smile. “There’s an urgent matter at the office. I need to head back.”

“Go ahead,” Rachel said with an encouraging smile. “Give it your best.”

you,” Trey assured her before

asleep, an IV drip gently flowing into her arm. The soft beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound, a

nearby. His face, so familiar, lingered in her groggy mind. For a moment, she believed it was him. But as her thoughts sharpened, a sinking realization hit her—it couldn’t

air around her seemed thick with Brian’s presence—his warmth, his scent, and even the quiet

willing the illusion to fade.

times, disbelieving, but when she closed her eyes once more, a voice broke through the stillness

not want to

unmistakably Brian’s, sent a shock of realization through her. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she instinctively reached out, her fingers

full of something deeper. She hadn’t expected him

in work, his phone constantly buzzing, his attention divided between calls and emails. Even as he sipped water between conversations, his focus never

set his glass down, he

asked casually,

apple,” she replied, offering him a playful grin. “It’s really sweet. Want to try?” She cut a fresh slice and held it out

his focus shifting to her lips. His usually calm eyes

sweet?” he asked, his

delicious. I wouldn’t lie to you,” Rachel insisted, holding the slice closer,

with a smooth, effortless motion. Her body pressed against his, his solid frame anchoring her as her head lightly bumped into

softly, her voice full of sweetness, making Brian’s heart race a

from Brian, warm and

a little,” she replied, her lips curling into a smile. “Do you

widened, amusement clear in

an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smirk as she gently held the apple to his lips. The fading sunlight bathed the room, casting everything in a soft, golden glow that seemed

When he finally finished, she leaned in, her eyes bright with curiosity. “Well? Was

he replied, his voice teasing, a faint smile tugging at the corners

enough for me. Try this piece,” she said, picking out

his head. “I’m fine. No more for

an eyebrow in mock disbelief. “Really? You’re