Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 47 Chapter 47: Rachel cast a disinterested glance in Brian's direction. "It's business. You wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting, would you?" Brian's demeanor turned icy. "That's it? That's all you've got to say?" he snapped.

"You really shouldn't be late,” Rachel replied, her voice cool and detached.

"Can't wait to get rid of me, huh? Afraid your intern might catch us?" Brian retorted, his words slicing through the silence like sharp blades.

Rachel had no desire to argue, nor did she see the point in justifying herself. "Believe whatever you want." Brian let out a dry chuckle before turning and walking away, leaving Rachel staring at his back as he disappeared.

During the entire meeting, Brian's expression was so cold that it made everyone uneasy. The tension in the room was thick, and no one dared to breathe too loudly. Even Ronald chose his words carefully, not wanting to set Brian off.

When the meeting finally wrapped up, he gathered his nerve and said, "Mr. White, I think Ms. Marsh might have gotten the wrong idea." "What do you mean?" Brian asked.

"You traveled all this way out of concern for her, but when you spoke to her, you made it sound like the meeting was your main reason for coming, and she was just an afterthought." Brian stilled for a moment, his face giving nothing away. After a brief silence, he looked at Ronald. "Are you saying she's upset?" Ronald thought for a second before responding, "She didn't say it outright, but I could tell. She was probably hoping you'd cjust for her." Exclusive chapters at gVlnovls"Where is she?" Brian asked without hesitation.

Ronald immediately gave him the address.

They pulled up to the location just as noon approached.

"Mr. White!" Samira shot to her feet, visibly startled by Brian's unannounced arrival.

Brian's cold gaze flickered toward the table laden with food before cutting to Samira. "Where's Rachel?" he demanded.

"She wasn't feeling great, so Trey took her out for sfresh air,” Samira answered, her voice carrying a nervous edge.

Brian didn't wait for her to finish—he was already making his way outside.

On a small balcony bathed in warm sunlight, Rachel sat in a hanging chair, her posture slightly slumped, likely from discomfort. Her long hair draped over her shoulder, and her face appeared washed out.

Trey crouched beside her, looking up. The sunlight hit his sharp features, making him stand out even more.

But the sight before him was one Brian had no interest in witnessing. Letting out a disdainful scoff, he turned to Ronald. "We're leaving." During the ride back, he was still upset.

Just before boarding his flight, he stopped, pulled out his phone, and called Rachel. His voice was firm. "This is your last chance. Cback with me." "No, thanks. I appreciate it, though," she replied calmly. Rachel was committed to seeing this project through, no matter what.

"Fine," Brian bit out, frustration thick in his tone. "My grandma's 80th birthday is in just over ten days. You'd better be there." "Alright. I'll be there," she assured him.

"We'll see about that," he muttered. "I hope you don't go back on your word." That call was the last conversation they had for an entire week.

Rachel buried herself in her new project, dedicating every ounce of her energy to it. She churned out design after design, yet nothing felt quite right.

One night, after tucking Jeffrey in, an idea suddenly cto her. Without wasting time, she grabbed a cab to the branch office.

By the tshe was done sketching, the sun was almost rising. A soft drizzle had begun outside, its steady rhythm tapping against the window.

Just then, the sound of a door creaking open made her heart skip a beat. She spun around on reflex, only to find Trey walking in, wearing a gray coat. His tall frand broad shoulders bore a strong resemblance to Brian's.

For a split second, Rachel almost mistook him for someone else. "Brian!" The nslipped out before Rachel could stop herself.

But as Trey's face cinto view, reality quickly set in.

Trey raised an eyebrow. "What did you just say?" "Nothing. What are you doing here?” she asked, brushing it off.

"The forecast said it would rain tonight, and Samira mentioned you were here alone. I thought I'd check on you." Rachel glanced at the clock, feeling a bit sheepish. "I just wrapped up my sketches. I wanted to work while the ideas were still fresh." Trey's warm smile put her at ease. “It's no trouble. I'll wait for you. I'm not sleepy, so if you need anything, just say the word." "Alright then." Rachel kept at it for another hour before finally putting her pen down.

"Trey, I'm done. Let's go," she called, but got no reply.

When she turned around, she found Trey slumped over the desk, fast asleep. A pang of guilt tugged at her, and after a moment of hesitation, she decided he'd be more comfortable in a bed.

"Trey, wake up," she said softly, giving his shoulder a gentle shake.

Trey blinked groggily, rubbing his eyes before flashing her a sleepy smile. "All finished?" "Yeah. Thanks for keepingcompany tonight." "Anytime. It's always a pleasure to help." The moment they stepped outside, a chilly breeze swept over them.

Rachel shivered, instinctively hugging herself for warmth.

Without a second thought, Trey shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

She opened her mouth to protest, but he gently held her hands down. "I can handle the cold. You're the one holding the team together-what would we do if you got sick?" Rachel didn't argue this time.

Instead, she looked at him, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanks." Trey held the umbrella over her without a word. As they neared the hotel, he paused before speaking. “Ms. Marsh, if you really want to thank me, can I ask you for something small?" "Sure, what is it?" "Can I call you Rachel? Like Samira does?" He scratched the back of his head, looking almost shy.

Rachel chuckled, the sound light and easy. "Of course, you can." "Great! Don't forget to hold the umbrella properly!" With that, he dashed ahead, his excitement unmistakable as he disappeared into the lobby.

Rachel watched him disappear inside, a small smile playing on her lips.

Youth had a way of finding joy in the simplest things.

But then again, hadn't she been like that once too? She'd also spent sleepless nights over something as small as a name.

When she first entered university, she and Brian had hardly spoken. Her feelings had been one-sided back then. Brian barely even noticed her.

Then she joined his club. Through different activities, they started exchanging words now and then, though strictly in formal settings. Outside of that, their conversations were rare.

One evening at a group dinner, Brian unexpectedly turned to her. "Rachel Marsh, can we make a deal?" The way he said her nmade her heart leap.

She immediately set her fork down, her full attention on him. “What kind of deal?" "We've known each other long enough. Just callBrian, like everyone else does. And can I just call you Rachel?" "Sure," she agreed, nodding quickly, her heart soaring.

That night, she was so giddy she downed an entire cup of coffee in seconds. Yet when she lay in bed later, sleep wouldn't come. Instead, she found herself whispering his nsoftly, over and over. She had no idea how many times she repeated it.

There was a twhen she thought his nwas the most beautiful beautifu sound in the world, something that could make her happy just by thinking about it. But now, it didn't feel the sanymore.

Shaking off the memories that threatened to pull her back, Rachel tightened her grip on her bag and er grip on stepped into the hotel lobby. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the car quietly following them the entire way.