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.

gut-wrenching cry escaped her lips, raw and

silently handed

hands, her voice barely above

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

Yvonne. As soon as the call connected, she spoke urgently. “Yvonne, Jeffrey

“What? How? What happened?”

sharpened with alarm. “Wait—where are you? Are

the police won’t file a case until he’s been gone 24

is full of

I’m on

as she hung up, she flipped on the light and started

sudden brightness made Norton stir

two had returned to the

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

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

full attention, and he immediately sat