Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 509:

Her gaze met his—steady, clear, and heartbreakingly distant. It was as though she were speaking about someone else’s story, not her own.

Brian felt a lump in his throat, rendering him momentarily speechless.

Rachel, sensing his discomfort, shifted the topic with gentle resolve. “Thank you for managing the situation with the trending topics. I know it was the PR department, but it was your instructions that set it in motion. And I also know you did it to shield Carol from unnecessary worry. But anyway, I still owe you thanks.”

A bitter, almost rueful smile tugged at the corners of Brian’s mouth, but his eyes were distant, betraying a deeper turmoil. “What if I told you it wasn’t just about my grandma?”

Rachel’s confusion was palpable. “What do you mean?”

She looked at him more intently now, searching his face for some clue, but his expression was guarded, unreadable.

gaze softened, and his voice took on a quiet, almost vulnerable tone. “Have you ever considered that maybe I helped you because I wanted

together, a flicker of emotion crossing her face before she masked it. “You don’t have to say

darkened slightly, but his words remained steady. “I’m not trying to make you feel better, Rachel. I’m telling you the

soft, hollow chuckle. “That’s not something to joke about. I’m tired, and I really need to

blanket up around herself, trying to shut out the conversation and

on the soothing quiet of the room, Brian remained there, standing behind her. His presence was too close, too palpable. The weight of his

let the tension stretch any

he

If you need anything, don’t hesitate to

her voice faint but steady. “I prefer complete darkness when I sleep. If that’s all,

plunging the room into a thick, enveloping darkness. The absence of light made the world feel distant, almost unreal, the air heavy

finally able to breathe in the quiet, allowed