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.

her lips,

silently handed her a

her voice barely above a

a shaky breath, forcing herself to push past the emotions. Breaking down wouldn’t bring Jeffrey back. Right now, the only thing

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

“What? How? What happened?”

sharpened with alarm. “Wait—where are

he’s been gone 24 hours,” Rachel’s

full of

Rachel. I’m on my

she hung up, she flipped on the light and started

made Norton stir beside

returned to the family estate that day and were

an annoyed look at Yvonne. His tone was impatient as he asked, “What the hell are you doing

edge, Yvonne snapped, “Not now! Jeffrey’s

his full attention, and he