Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 444:

When Rachel opened her eyes again, she lifted her head from Andres’s shoulder.

“It’s all in the past now.”

Then, glancing up at him, she offered a small nod. “Thank you. For everything tonight.”

Andres studied her for a long moment before simply nodding. “It’s late. Let’s head back.”

“Alright.”

When they reached the door to her room, Rachel turned to bid him goodnight.

But before she could step inside, a familiar figure appeared from the shadows—Brian.

The sight of him sent an instinctive jolt through her, her body tensing, her fingers tightening on the doorknob. Her first thought was to retreat, to slip inside, close the door, and shut him out completely.

Brian moved quickly, catching her

he said, his voice edged with urgency. “I just need

insincerity in his face. But there was none. Still, her voice remained cool.

slowly, as if bracing himself. “Earlier… at the pool… I didn’t know you had fallen

out a quiet, humorless laugh.

had known… I wouldn’t have left

all, I’ve been by your side for so many years. Even a dog raised that

How could

available

words slow and deliberate, “your first instinct will always be Tracy. Always. Only after

a question. Because it wasn’t one. It was the

Rachel. After all these years,

laugh escaped Rachel’s

bear to

door, she stepped inside, her weary body sliding down against the wooden surface, collapsing like a marionette with severed strings. The weight

hadn’t anticipated his complete lack