Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 265:

Overcome by the weight of their conversation, Brian felt drained. He didn’t respond—he simply turned away and silently left the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Rachel wrapped herself in a towel and methodically dried her hair. After a few minutes, she emerged, moving with a detached air toward the wardrobe to pick out her clothes.

“What are you doing?” Brian’s voice was low, his grip firm as he clasped her wrist, his gaze unwavering.

Rachel exhaled softly, her exhaustion taking precedence over any desire to protest. “If we’re saying goodbye, let’s make it final,” she murmured. “My hair’s dry. I’ll leave as soon as I’ve changed.”

Brian’s fingers tightened instinctively, his voice rough with suppressed emotion. “Stay. Just for tonight.”

thought of prolonging this undefined connection, where

with desperation. When Rachel remained silent, he pressed further. “It’s too late to

her gaze lowered as she considered

her nightclothes. When she emerged, Brian was already on the bed, his imposing figure stretched across

inevitability of the situation, Rachel slid under the covers, her voice barely audible. “Thank you. I’m really tired,

words seemed to dissolve before they

soft rustling of the sheets the only sound in the otherwise still room. She pulled the covers gently over herself, the warmth of the fabric a brief comfort against the chill of the night. Her body, once lively and full of energy, now felt delicate and fragile, worn down by illness, travel, and the relentless toll of dialysis.

stopped him in his tracks. His hand hovered briefly, then fell slowly to his side, the weight of unspoken words and past hesitation hanging

to sleep on the edge,” he said, his voice softer than usual. “There’s plenty of room, and the covers are wide enough. You can

more on

her grip on the edge of the blanket, her fingers pale against the fabric. “Thank you, but it’s really not necessary,”