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.

I helped you because I wanted to? And

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

remained steady. “I’m not trying to make you feel better, Rachel. I’m telling you the truth. Everything I said, I

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

a response, she turned away, pulling the blanket up around herself, trying to shut out the conversation

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 felt like a quiet

silence. Rachel, unwilling to let the tension stretch any further, turned slightly, her

he spoke

If you need anything, don’t hesitate to

complete darkness when I sleep. If that’s all, I’ll turn the lights

a thick, enveloping darkness. The absence of light made the world feel distant, almost unreal, the air heavy with a calm that neither of them

quiet, allowed her guard to slip