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.”

already tell your mom didn’t like me. But I figured she was your mother, so I told myself to

her smile faint and self-deprecating. “But it didn’t work. She despised my background and never hid her disdain. She constantly 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

cracked slightly, but she caught herself. “But I realized you didn’t believe me. And the person you wanted to protect was never me.” She let out

seemed so trivial to talk about. Time really did have a way

But what she didn’t

now, explaining himself would only sound like a

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…

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

the beginning—I never 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

tightened, the weight of guilt bearing down on him like a crushing

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