Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 717:

Brian’s arms, still holding Estella, were frozen in place, while Layla had already wrapped her hands around Estella. But Brian hadn’t released her.

“Sir…” Estella called out softly.

She called again, but Brian still hadn’t snapped out of his daze.

It was Rachel who quietly suggested, “Maybe you should give Estella to her mom first?”

Layla, quick to catch on, noticed Rachel’s reaction when she saw Brian and the tense air between them. She instantly put the pieces together.

“Estella’s worn out from all the playing. I’ll take her back now,” Layla said, finding a reason to leave and picking Estella up.

“Mom, isn’t Rachel coming with us?” Estella asked, sounding confused.

some things to take care of. We’ll go back

Estella responded,

her head against her mom. With the soothing rhythm of their

neither Rachel

first words seemed to be chosen

content

wanted to say, but he was afraid of saying too much all at once. His

stayed silent, brushing her hair, which had been tousled by the wind,

trailed behind, keeping pace with

them as they walked together in silence, for what felt like a long

bonfire party eventually ended, and as the crowd thinned, the beach grew quieter. That’s when Rachel finally spoke, breaking

been a long