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?”

a teasing remark,

But today, even though he intentionally provoked her, she didn’t react at all. She

him put on his shoes without so much as

she speak, her voice calm. “If I’m not mistaken,

breakfast

his irritation seeping into

the food

nothing was

to take care of it, even warming the milk to his preferred

time, she pretended not to hear

clinking of utensils. Rachel finished a few bites of her sandwich, took a sip of

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

spoon hovered mid-air, his

like his petty behavior had finally gotten her

met her gaze, his face

as long as she stopped being angry, they could return

for—a raise, a promotion, or any gift—he was willing

next. “I want to go on a

request even more pronounced, each word striking

that instant, she caught the flicker

tightened so much it looked like

onto hers with an icy

met his gaze head-on, her expression calm and unwavering.

the floor, sending shards

outburst, Rachel stayed

she went on,

well, and you have capable people managing everything, both at work and in your personal life. There’s an important project in Amberfield, and as the head of the design department, I believe

words carefully,

braced herself for this confrontation, but one thing remained

furious Brian became, no matter whether he approved of it or not,

between them was the

as Rachel was beginning

“You want time? Space? To be

intention of dragging this conversation out any

word, she headed

halfway through when Brian suddenly showed

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

something undeniably lonely about the way he stood there, lost

she had