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

then silently handed her

took them with trembling hands, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jeffrey back. Right now, the only thing that mattered

Yvonne. As soon as the call connected,

“What? How? What happened?”

“Wait—where are

but the police won’t file a case until he’s been gone 24 hours,” Rachel’s throat burned from

is full of

tight, Rachel. I’m on my way,” Yvonne reassured

soon as she hung up, she flipped on the light and started changing out

brightness made Norton

to the family estate that

His tone was impatient as he asked, “What the hell

edge, Yvonne snapped, “Not now! Jeffrey’s missing, and Rachel’s losing

attention, and he