Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 14 Chapter 14: Shock etched deeply across Rachel's face, her eyes wide with surprise. She glanced toward Samira.

Sweeping her hair aside with a smile, Samira said, "Judging by your reaction, I must have guessed right." "How could you possibly know?" Rachel inquired.

Samira explained, "Earlier, when I attempted to approach Mr. White upstairs, Tracy consistently blocked me. She looked at you like you were a threat. Furthermore, the pain on your face was unmistakable when he chose to protect her over you, and just moments ago, you tried to mask your heartache." At this, Rachel stopped hiding her emotions. She gave a hesitant nod. "Our wedding date is set, yes, but its certainty now hangs by a thread. Samira, let's keep this between us." Samira nodded. "Your secret's safe with me. I won't breathe a word without your go-ahead." "Let's head to the hospital now." "Okay." Luckily, the injury Samira sustained was minor-just a scratch. Nevertheless, Rachel insisted she take a couple of days off to recover at home. As they were about to go their separate ways, Samira turned back.

"I hope you'll excuse my earlier intrusion. It wasn't my intention to delve into your private matters. You just remindso much of my older sister." With a curious gaze, Rachel looked back at her. Bathed in sunlight, her expression was serene yet striking. "Much like you, my sister was also engaged to her long-tpartner. They had been together for eight years and had their wedding planned. She was five months into her pregnancy by then, her belly just beginning to show. However, her fiancé was unfaithful. The revelation was too much for my sister; she leapt from the eighteenth floor. Her life ended then." Discover new releases galSamira relayed this with eerie calmness, her voice steady. Despite Samira's composed exterior, Rachel sensed the deep pain swirling underneath.

Moving quickly, Rachel embraced Samira with a firm hug and ran her hand soothingly across Samira's back. "Let it out if you need to cry. Don't bottle it up. Who says we can't shed tears when life gets tough?" Rachel's comforting words shattered Samira's composure. No longer able to contain...

Her emotions overwhelmed her, and she wept loudly against Rachel. Her sobs gradually softened but grew more sorrowful.

"I blmyself. I saw the signs of her depression. I should have never left her side. If only I had stayed, maybe she wouldn't have cto harm. It's all my fault." As Samira's tears flowed, Rachel felt her pain more acutely. Once Samira had cried out all her grief, she wiped her tears.

"So, I hope you can always cherish yourself. No man is worth sacrificing our very lives." Rachel nodded in agreement. "I'll remember that. Please go hand rest." After the incident, Rachel made a call to Ronald.

"Is this Ms. Marsh?" he asked.

"How's Tracy Haynes doing?" Rachel inquired.

"She's sustained a cut on her back. It's not deep, just a lengthy slash," Ronald replied.

"Thanks for the update," Rachel said.

Ronald paused after the call, then decided to inform Brian regardless. Brian's expression darkened.

"She didn't ask for anything else?" he asked.

Ronald shook his head. “Did she seem to wantback immediately?" "Not at all," Ronald confirmed.

Later that evening, Rachel decided to go to bed early, hoping for srest. She fell asleep quickly but was awakened suddenly in the early hours.

As her eyes fluttered open, the door creaked, and a soft glow filled the room as someone switched on a small lamp. Then, Brian's face cinto clear view.

Startled, Rachel's eyes widened as she tried to make sense of the sight.

Her voice trembled slightly. "Why... why are you back?" He approached, his body radiating the chill of the late hour. He held her chin firmly with one hand, then leaned in to kiss her passionately and forcefully.

His embrace felt like an attempt to shatter her resolve, his demands unyielding. Rachel's head was forced back, her body barely resisting.

A chill ran through her as his cold hand grazed her waist, prompting a suppressed whimper. Only then did he ease his hold.

Confusion clouded her expression. Her eyes, wide and shimmering, met his with an air of uncertainty. "Why are you staring atlike that?" Brian whispered, his voice deep as his hand stroked her cheek.

Rachel remained silent.

He asked again, "Why does my return surprise you so much?" This time, she chose to respond. Raising her head, she said deliberately, "Tracy Haynes was hurt because of you.

I assumed you'd stay with her. I never expected you to return." She was simply telling the truth.

Yet, Brian felt an inexplicable surge of anger. He was her fiancé, but the thought of him spending the night with another woman seemed to disturb her less than he had expected. She wasn't angry or jealous. Throughout it all, she hadn't reached out to him—not a single call or message.

"Rachel?" Brian suddenly chuckled, his laughter tinged with sarcasm, Sarcasm No you love "You said you love me, but don't feel it Does your love mean lettinggo, not caring, being okay with sharingwith someone else?" Rachel's eyes grew wide. She resisted blinking, fearing that tears would escape if she did. Her entire façade of strength was about to crumble.

He had made his choice for Tracy, leaving her behind. His heart belonged to another, not her. Yet, the fault seemed to fall on her shoulders. It seemed that not being loved made every action she took feel wrong.

With a deep struggle to keep her sadness at bay, Rachel tightened her grip until the pain was numbed, and then she managed to say, "You're right. I don't love you anymore." To continue loving him had becan unbearable burden.

Their relationship had been a constant chase—he always ahead, she always a step behind. Hope existed only as long as she was willing to wait for him. Now, exhausted, she could no longer continue her love for him.

She wanted to let go.

She had once dreamed that he might notice her efforts and love her back. If he had paid closer attention, he would have seen her weariness and despair.

But his focus had always been on Tracy.

If that was his choice, she was ready to let him go.

She spoke, her voice steady yet filled with an edge of finality. "Our engagement was rushed. Whenm Tracy was out of the picture, you sawas a compliant, manageable girlfriend-someone convenient. Now that Tracy has returned, and is alone, you're having second thoughts, aren't you?"