Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 586:

They remained like that until Doris appeared. “Brian, Rachel, Grandma wants to see you.”

“All right,” Brian whispered.

Hand in hand, they entered the room. Despite the sorrow around them, Carol’s expression was warm and bright. She smiled as if untouched by the heaviness of her illness.

“Brian, Rachel, come sit with me,” Carol said, patting the space beside her. “I have something important to tell you.”

As Brian and Rachel stepped closer, they held hands in silence. The sight of their entwined fingers brought a warm, satisfied smile to Carol’s face.

“Watching the two of you like this fills my heart with joy. I’ve been fortunate to have a peaceful, loving family throughout my life. My children and grandchildren have always been respectful, and even though your mother can be quite strong-willed at times, she has always treated me with kindness. I truly have nothing to regret. If I do have one lingering wish, though, it would be to witness your wedding with my own eyes.”

of tears welled in Carol’s eyes, but her smile remained bright and

atop his and Rachel’s entwined fingers. “Grandma, you

turned to Rachel, seeking her reassurance. “Rachel,

fresh updates on

gentle nod and a soft smile. “Yes, I’d be happy to move

so happy I

on Christmas morning. Her radiant smile was contagious, making both Brian

“Hector, bring it here.”

wooden box from the drawer. The box was modest in size, its intricate carvings still visible despite signs of age—two corners worn, the paint slightly

placed the box in Rachel’s hands. “Go on, Rachel, open it

fingers lingering over

chuckled, nodding encouragingly.

and hesitated,