Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 42

Chapter 42:

Brian wasn’t going to accept that Rachel would stop loving him.

Rachel was his—always had been, always would be.

That night, he didn’t stop until she was utterly exhausted, every ounce of energy drained from her body.

By the time he finally let go, they were both covered in sweat.

Rachel was so spent that she slipped into a deep, unconscious sleep, completely unaware of anything that happened after—whether it was a shower or slipping into fresh pajamas. She slept soundly.

It was the harsh sunlight spilling through the window that finally stirred her from sleep.

As soon as she shifted slightly, an arm tightened around her waist.

That was when she realized—Brian was still in bed.

Even in deep sleep, his grip around her remained firm.

In that moment, memories from the night before rushed back to her.

She shut her eyes, willing herself to shove those memories aside.

As she got up, Brian casually asked her to help him choose his clothes.

Rachel nodded quietly and picked out a casual outfit.

“And grab a watch for me while you’re at it.”

“Sure.”

Her quiet obedience didn’t bring Brian the satisfaction he expected—it only left him oddly frustrated.

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He cupped her chin, tilting her face up with just enough force. “Are you still upset about last night?”

Rachel said nothing. She quietly fastened the watch around his wrist and smoothly changed the subject. “Anything else?”

Brian deliberately stretched out his foot, and she instantly got the message. Without a word, she grabbed a pair of sneakers for him.

“Dressing me for a workout? Are you implying that I should work out a lot to improve my stamina?”

threw in a teasing remark, Rachel would always turn

he always took pleasure in watching her get flustered. But today, even though he intentionally provoked her, she didn’t react at all. She simply acted like she

put on his shoes without so much as a

laces did she speak, her voice calm. “If I’m not mistaken, you have a golf

tension at breakfast

nitpicked at everything, his irritation seeping

that the milk wasn’t warm enough. Then, he claimed the food wasn’t to his

put, nothing was good enough for

even warming the milk to his preferred

she pretended not

of utensils. Rachel finished a few bites of her

table at him. “There’s something I need to

mid-air,

petty behavior had finally

her gaze, his

as long as she stopped being angry, they could return

matter what she asked for—a raise, a promotion, or any gift—he was willing to give it without

said next. “I want to go

request even more pronounced, each word striking his ears with

that instant, she caught the flicker of

grip on the glass tightened so much it looked like it might

with

his gaze head-on, her expression calm and unwavering. “I’d like to go

against the floor,

outburst, Rachel

she went on, her voice

capable people managing everything, both at work and in your personal life. There’s an important project in Amberfield,

her words carefully,

had braced herself for this confrontation, but one thing remained clear to

matter whether he approved of it or not, she was

putting distance between

finally gave in, just as Rachel

sharp and icy, like a blade slicing through the air. “You want time? Space? To be away from me? Fine. I’ll give you that. But don’t forget—so long as I have a

intention of dragging this conversation out

she headed upstairs to pack

through when Brian suddenly showed up, leaning

there, tall and composed, with a cigarette between his fingers. He took slow, deliberate drags, the smoke curling around him, making him seem even

something undeniably lonely about the way he stood there, lost in thought,

minutes, she had