Chapter 249 An Emotional Wall
“It was said that a child’s birthday is a reminder of a mother’s sacrifices, and that holds true, especially in Debby’s case,” Carol began, her gaze distant as if reflecting on the past.
“Conceiving wasn’t easy for her. And when she finally did, she found a tumor in her uterus. After a thorough examination, the doctor urged her to terminate the pregnancy and undergo surgery, as it posed a serious risk to her life. But she was unwavering. She chose to carry Brian, no matter the cost.”
Her expression softened as she continued. “The birth was fraught with complications. Not only was it premature, but the C–section also had unforeseen issues, leading to severe bleeding, she almost didn’t make it. In the end, the doctor had no choice but to
remove her uterus to save her life.”
She met Rachel’s gaze, her tone now gentle. “From this, you can see the enormity of her sacrifice for Brian. And over the years, because of that, everyone has been remarkably forgiving with her; whether it was Aron or Brian, they’ve always understood.”
Carol’s voice grew more serious as she added, “So, Rachel, don’t hold this against Brian. I know he’s caught in a difficult situation.”
Rachel absorbed her words in silence, squeezing Carol’s hand in understanding. “I understand.” She couldn’t imagine any future scenario that would force Brian into such a difficult position again.
“But if he ever betrays you, if he has an affair, you must tell me,” Carol said firmly, her eyes locking with Rachel’s. “I will stand by you, no matter what.”
Rachel nodded, a quiet appreciation in her gaze. “Thank you, Carol,” she said, her voice full of gratitude. “I’m fortunate to have you on my side.”
“Of course,” Carol replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “I’ll always support you. And as for Tracy, I can promise you she will never marry Brian. As long as I’m around, she doesn’t stand a chance.”
With that, Carol cast Brian a pointed glance.
<Chapter 249 An Emotional Wall
Brian quickly explained, “Grandma, you’re overthinking it.”
Satisfied, Carol turned to Rachel. “Did you hear that?”
Rachel gave a gentle smile and nodded. “Yes, I heard.”
With Brian’s cooperation and knowing it would please Carol, Rachel played along, her warmth matching the calm atmosphere. It was important to make Carol happy, and she
was more than willing to do so.
After dinner, they accompanied Carol on a leisurely walk through the garden. The peacefulness of the evening surrounded them, and Rachel kept close, holding Carol’s left arm while Brian reached out to take her right, their steps in harmony.
Carol laughed softly, pushing Brian away. “Why are you clinging to me? Go hold your girlfriend’s hand instead.”
If Brian didn’t take Rachel’s hand now, it would feel off, even suspicious. He glanced at
her, silently asking for her cooperation.
Rachel, catching his eye, gave a subtle nod in agreement.
With a playful grin, Brian said, “Alright, since you don’t need me, I’ll hold my girlfriend’s hand.” And with that, he gently took Rachel’s hand in his.
For a brief moment, Rachel was stunned. His words felt so natural and convincing that they almost blurred the line between pretense and reality.
/
Once their walk was finished, they helped Carol back to her room. As they turned to leave, Carol unexpectedly spoke up. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you both stay the night and have breakfast with me before heading off to work tomorrow?”
Brian and Rachel exchanged surprised glances, caught off guard by the sudden request.
Noticing their shock, Carol smiled. “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to have breakfast
with me?”
Brian quickly responded, eager to avoid any discomfort for Rachel. “It’s not that. We’ve got a meeting tomorrow,” he explained, giving Rachel a subtle look to ensure she was okay.
Carol’s expression immediately shifted, her shoulders slumping in defeat. In that moment, she looked almost vulnerable, her disappointment evident.
“Alright, I understand,” she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. “If you’ve got work, I won’t keep you.”
12.00
Chapter 249 An Emotional Wall
Seeing Carol’s bright expectations falter, Rachel couldn’t bear it any longer. “Carol, I’ll stay and have breakfast with you tomorrow,” she said softly, her voice reassuring.
Brian, relieved by Rachel’s willingness, quickly added, “I’ll ask Ronald to adjust the meeting time. There’s always room for breakfast with my grandma.”
Carol’s face lit up immediately, her joy unmistakable. “That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed, her tone warm with happiness.
After Carol retired for the night, Brian and Rachel left the room. They walked in comfortable silence, side by side, their steps naturally aligning.
“Thank you, Rachel,” Brian said quietly, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.
“Carol has always treated me well, and I can’t bring myself to disappoint her,” Rachel said, her voice soft with sincerity.
Brian met her gaze. “I know you’re doing this for her, not for me. But given that we’ve
always shared a room here, it might look suspicious if we don’t stay together tonight.”
Rachel hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. “I’ll cooperate.” She had already anticipated this possibility when she agreed to stay for Carol’s sake.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of hope.
She thought for a moment before responding, “The room has both a bed and a sofa. I can even sleep on the floor.”
Brian’s expression faltered slightly, his hope quickly deflating. The light in his eyes dimmed, though he nodded in understanding.
They walked into the room together. With only one bathroom available, Brian courteously stepped aside, motioning for Rachel to go ahead.
“Thank you,” Rachel said, a quiet appreciation in her voice.
After her shower, she stepped out onto the balcony, drawn by the cool night air. The breeze was refreshing, and the serenity of the night called to her. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the stillness.
This estate, far from the city’s noise, offered a rare tranquility. The distant sound of crickets seemed to lull the world into a peaceful rhythm.
The night sky, dark and expansive, stretched above her, with a brilliant full moon casting its soft light over everything. The stars shimmered with an almost unnatural clarity, making Rachel pause to take in the beauty of the moment. It had been a long time since
<Chapter 249 An Emotional Wall
she had witnessed something so breathtaking, and it filled her with a quiet joy, a fleeting peace she hadn’t realized she was missing.
As the cool breeze brushed against her skin, she shivered slightly and wrapped her arms around herself. Just as she did, she felt something gently drape over her shoulders.
Turning, she saw Brian, his face soft but earnest, as he placed his coat around her.
“The night breeze is a bit chilly. You shouldn’t catch a cold,” Brian said, his voice gentle, though there was an undercurrent of concern.
“Thank you,” Rachel replied, her tone cool and measured.
The brief exchange hung in the air, and a thick silence settled between them. The warmth that had been there moments ago seemed to have vanished, leaving only a palpable distance.
Brian couldn’t ignore the coolness in her tone, a politeness that felt more like an
emotional wall than kindness.
Rachel’s attention remained fixed on the stars, her gaze unwavering, as though she was seeing something beyond the night sky. Brian stood next to her, his presence steady, yet he felt oddly disconnected as if a barrier had formed between them.
After a while, Brian’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen; it was Tracy. His thumb hovered over the screen before he decisively pressed the button to decline the call. But Tracy, persistent as ever, immediately called again.
Rachel’s voice interrupted the moment, calm and measured. “If you need to take Tracy’s call, I can step aside. I don’t want to get in the way.”
Brian turned toward her, his expression earnest. “That’s not what I meant.” He hesitated, a flicker of something passing through his eyes before he continued. “I just… have a question.”
Rachel met his gaze, her eyes calm but curious. “What is it?”
“How did you know it was Tracy calling?” Brian asked, his curiosity tinged with an
underlying unease.
A faint, bitter smile played at the corners of Rachel’s lips. “Maybe you’ve forgotten, but you set a special ringtone for her, one that’s different from anyone else’s.” Her words hung in the air, quietly poignant.
The kind of attention Rachel had once longed for now felt like a distant echo. She remembered how she had repeatedly asked him to set a special tone just for her. That
<Chapter 249 An Emotional Wall
way, the moment he heard it, he would know it was her calling. But he never agreed. Over time, the request faded into nothing, a forgotten wish.
It didn’t matter, or so Rachel convinced herself. The yearning eventually subsided. But now, seeing Tracy with that same kind of special ringtone, Rachel couldn’t help but feel a sharp sting. Everything about it seemed so absurd, so out of place.
Brian’s hand clenched around his phone, and the weight of her words hit him harder than he expected. He struggled for a moment to explain himself, his thoughts tangled. “When she first came back, her mental state wasn’t in a good place. I was worried she might do something reckless, so… I set the ringtone for her. I thought it would make it easier to be there for her if she needed me.”
Rachel didn’t look away, her gaze unwavering and composed. Her voice remained calm, but it was laced with a quiet strength. “You don’t owe me an explanation. You have every right to make your own choices. I’m not here to question them.”
