Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 508:

Brian hesitated, then asked, “Did she… say a lot of unpleasant things to you in private before?”

Rachel didn’t flinch. “Yes.”

A brief, concise response, but the subtle tremble in her lashes said far more than her words ever could.

His jaw tensed. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Before he could stop himself, his hands gripped her shoulders, his voice edged with frustration.

Rachel lowered her gaze, her lashes fluttering faintly. “I did… a long time ago. But you forgot.”

beneath it. “When we first met, I could already tell your mom didn’t like me. But I figured she was your mother, so I told myself to be more understanding.

made things difficult for me.” She paused briefly, but her tone remained light—as if the pain had long dulled. “I told you about it back then… but you just said she was your mom and asked

to protect was never me.” She let out a soft

seemed so trivial

in him. His mind reeled, recalling those thoughtless remarks he had made. But what

explaining himself would only sound like

rest

why didn’t you…” He swallowed hard, his voice rough. “Why didn’t you bring it up again later? I thought my mom had… backed off a

what would that have changed?” Her tone was tinged with quiet pain. “Was I supposed to keep complaining,

stood a chance with you. So what would’ve been the point in bringing it up?” Rachel’s voice was low, but the hurt beneath it was undeniable. “It wouldn’t have changed anything. You’d only think I was trying to stir up conflict between you and your mom…

the weight of guilt bearing down on him

really am. I let you down—I was selfish and