Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 623:

“Of course, I am. I’m a Carpenter—I always bounce back.”

“Yes, Miss Carpenter, welcome home,” Brian teased with a small smirk. For a brief moment, it felt like they had gone back in time.

Natalia stepped out of the car and tapped lightly on the window. “Brian, step out for a second.”

Without overthinking it, he unfastened his seatbelt and got out.

Under the moon’s soft glow, Brian stood before her, his silhouette blurred yet striking. Natalia took a deep breath and finally said, “Give me a hug.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate,” he refused gently.

you never even gave me a real hug,”

darted forward and wrapped her arms around him,

I’m closer

go, Natalia’s

found out recently—the reason my dad let you off so easily back then wasn’t because of my begging. It was

is packed with great

cellar. Rachel was in there for an entire hour. And…” Natalia’s voice wavered, overcome by the memory. “She was relentlessly punished with a heavy whip, each strike searing her skin.” Tears

should’ve seen it coming. Knowing my dad’s temper, he wouldn’t let anyone who put me in danger get away lightly unless they could quell his wrath. So,

so much heartache and pain in silence, all for you, and you never

than Rachel. I can let go of you and start over whenever I choose; but Rachel, she’s tethered by her heart. She can either continue to love you more, or… pretend her love

softly, struck Brian like a bolt from