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.

and his voice took on a quiet, almost vulnerable tone. “Have you ever considered that maybe I helped you because I wanted to? And I couldn’t stand

of emotion crossing her face before she masked it. “You don’t have to say that just to make

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

blanket up around herself, trying to shut out the conversation and the emotions that threatened to flood

closed, but despite her efforts to focus on the soothing quiet of the room, Brian remained there, standing behind her. His presence was too close, too palpable. The weight of his gaze

unwilling to let the tension stretch any further, turned slightly, her voice calm but resolute. “I really need to

lingered for a moment before he spoke again,

need anything, don’t hesitate

but steady. “I prefer complete darkness when I

darkness. The absence of light made the world feel distant, almost unreal,

quiet, allowed her guard to slip