Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 408:

“I’m not foolish enough to expect you to love me. I don’t expect you to acknowledge what we had or to change your mind. All I want is for you to respect my choice and leave me alone.”

Was that really too much to ask? Why did she have to be dragged through the mud again and again?

She wiped her tears and took a shaky breath. “When I saw you coming, I was happy. I thought—even if you don’t love me, at least you wouldn’t just watch me be humiliated. But…”

Her voice caught in her throat, and she couldn’t go on.

Reality was cruel, and the truth was clear—his choice would always be Tracy.

After pouring out her feelings, Rachel wiped away her tears. Maybe it was the release she needed because, strangely, she felt lighter. When she finally spoke, the desperation in her voice had disappeared, replaced by a quiet, composed tone.

“Let’s just drop it. There’s no point in discussing this any further. Once my project is wrapped up, I’ll resign and stay out of your way. It’s late. You should leave now.”

the door, making it clear that their conversation was over. But before

up. But I swear, I never meant to embarrass you or ignore you.

that I can’t stand it. I wish I could erase him from your life. I never knew what jealousy felt like until I saw you being kind to another man. When I heard you allowed him to stay over, I lost control. Every time you smiled at him, it felt like a knife in my chest. I just wanted you to be there for me, the way you used to be. I wanted

against her shoulder, like a man completely

were unguarded, spilling out with

live on

that no matter what he said,

didn’t respond, Brian

came straight to you. Rachel, it’s been so long—aren’t you

sounded almost childlike, his voice gentle, as if he was trying to win her

wanted you to get jealous, to care. You used to get upset over things like this. But

hadn’t expected him to say

cold, she knew exactly how to push back. But when he spoke so gently,