Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 320:

“Ms. Marsh,” Ronald said, his voice calm but insistent, “Mr. White is requesting your immediate return for the meeting.”

“I’m handling personal matters today. I’ve formally taken leave,” Rachel stated, her voice firm and unwavering.

Ronald hesitated, finding himself at a loss. Rachel’s explanation was undeniably reasonable, leaving little room for argument.

Before Ronald could respond, Brian snatched the phone from his hand.

“You have thirty minutes,” Brian said, his tone icy and commanding. “Return to the office and report to me within that time.”

“As I’ve already clarified, I’m on leave today. I won’t be coming back,” Rachel replied, her words calm but laced with defiance.

“Your leave was never approved by me,” Brian retorted sharply. “If you’re not here in half an hour, it will be recorded as absenteeism.”

over. “Are you trying to push me to my breaking point? Can’t I even take leave when I have something important to deal with? Do you need to see me completely unravel before you’re satisfied? Let me be clear; I’m not returning. If

up the phone when Jeffrey emerged, his shoulders

shuffled toward her with

read the frustration

his hand, and

Jeffrey’s continued silence

she disconnected his call. When her

Brian fumed in

into someone he barely recognized, someone who dared to hang up on him and

is where

a shopping center nearby. “We’ve been rushing around all morning,” she suggested, squeezing Jeffrey’s hand. “I

with a subtle nod. He understood perfectly that she sought to give him

their meal, with afternoon hours stretching before them, Rachel selected a film. The

dismay, what began with laughter gradually descended into heartbreak, culminating in