Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 74

Chapter 74:

She couldn’t afford to break down—not now.

Over and over, she told herself to stay in control.

Losing it wouldn’t help Jeffrey—she had to think clearly.

But when the officer delivered that indifferent response, something inside her cracked.

She dropped to her knees, her hands gripping her head, and she sobbed as though the weight of the world had finally crushed her.

Overwhelmed by desperation, she tugged at her hair, her nails digging into her scalp, as if the pain could drown out the unbearable guilt.

This was all on her. Every bit of it.

If she had been more vigilant, if she had fought off exhaustion, Jeffrey wouldn’t have wandered off alone.

escaped her lips, raw

hesitated, then silently handed

her voice

Breaking down wouldn’t bring Jeffrey back. Right now, the only thing that mattered was finding him. She needed

Yvonne. As soon as the

“What? How? What happened?”

voice sharpened with alarm. “Wait—where are

a case until he’s been gone 24 hours,” Rachel’s throat burned from all

is full of

I’m on my way,” Yvonne

on

sudden brightness made Norton stir beside

two had returned to the family estate that

tone was impatient as he asked, “What

already on edge, Yvonne snapped, “Not now! Jeffrey’s missing, and Rachel’s losing her mind over

got his full attention, and