Chapter 108 Begging Him
To Stay
Late in the afternoon, Brian finally stirred from his sleep.
Tracy, now much more composed, approached him with a gentle expression. “Did you manage to rest well? Are
you still feeling worn out?”
Ignoring her questions, Brian shook his head and instinctively peered outside.
The sun had climbed high into the sky.
A sense of alarm washed over him as he grabbed his phone, only to be met with a dead screen.
“What time is it?” Brian inquired with a tinge of panic in his voice.
“I’m on it,” Tracy reassured him as she attempted to turn on her phone, but to no avail–it too was out of
power.
Brian’s patience snapped. He said, “Quick, the charger–bring it here now!”
Tracy looked at him with concern. “Unfortunately, our chargers aren’t compatible. I don’t think mine will fit your phone.”
Tracy tried to soothe his nerves. “Relax, I’ll run downstairs to the store and buy a charger for you.”
Dismissing her efforts, Brian flung the covers aside and hurried into the living room, where the wall clock
caught his eye.
It was already four in the afternoon.
After securing a new charger and getting his phone to power on, they had lost at least another thirty minutes.
Brian wasted no time and dialed Rachel’s number as soon as his phone came alive.
His call went unanswered.
Despite several attempts, he only received an automated response each time.
Growing impatient, Brian began gathering his clothes to head out.
Tracy caught his arm in a swift motion. “Brian, please don’t leave. I’m frightened. The memory of what Simon Prescott did terrorizes me every time I blink. Stay just one more night. Once I feel safer, you can go, okay?”
Brian met her gaze, his expression unreadable, concealing his inner turmoil.
“I’ll get Ronald to stay with you.”
Tracy’s eyes welled up at his words. “Ronald can’t provide the security I need, Brian. Only you can. If you
Chapter 108 Begging Him To Stay
hadn’t been there that night, I… I could have been raped.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper, the last words barely audible as tears rolled down her cheeks.
She bowed her head, her posture one of deep distress, while gripping his hand tightly.
With Brian still showing resistance, Tracy played on his sympathies. “Think back to those times, Brian. I’d grasp your arm like I am now. You never could resist my affection then.”
She reminisced with a hint of sadness. “There was a time I was feverish, unable to enjoy any flavors. I longed for just a bit of spice. Everyone else said no, but you–you found that gentle spicy snack that was just right, not upsetting my stomach at all.”
Reflectively, she continued, “That should have been my moment of realization. The one who really cared for me was right there, all along. I failed to see it, to appreciate it.”
Her voice grew heavy with remorse. “I regret that so much now. It gnaws at me. Brian, I’m pleading–give us
another chance, won’t you?”
At that moment, Brian felt no anger, only a bitter stillness,
He gently freed his arm from her hold.
He addressed her calmly, “Tracy, our time has passed. Rachel is now my fiancée. She has stood by me through thick and thin, and I must honor that commitment.”
Vigorously shaking her head, tears rolling down her cheeks, Tracy replied, “No, Brian, this isn’t right. You have such strong feelings for me; how can you just end this? And remember, you and Rachel aren’t married yet There’s still a chance to reconsider. If… If guilt over Rachel concerns you, let’s ensure she and her brother are cared for. We can provide them with a secure home and everything they need.”
As she spoke, Tracy’s demeanor became increasingly frantic.
Brian gently touched her shoulder. “Tracy, we need to move on from certain things. Get some rest. I’m leaving
now,”
He didn’t give her another chance. This time, he just opened the door and walked out.
Since Brian couldn’t reach Rachel by phone, he headed straight to the bridal shop.
“She fainted? When did that happen?”
A tight sensation gripped Brian’s heart.
“Ms. Marsh collapsed shortly after you departed. It was Ms. Natalia Carpenter who escorted her to the hospital”
“Understood,” Brian replied succinctly,
Upon contacting Natalia, he learned she was at the nail salon for a manicure.
“Hello, Brian!” Natalia exclaimed, clearly delighted by his call, a smile brightening her face.
“Can you tell me which hospital you took Rachel to?” he asked, cutting to the chase.
Natalia’s face fell slightly. “I thought you called because you missed me. Turns out, I was utterly wrong
“If you’re not going to share the information, then never mind.” Brian’s voice indicated he might end the call
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Chapter 108 Begging Him To Stay
soon.
“Wait, I didn’t say I wouldn’t tell you,” Natalia quickly interjected.
“Where is she now?”
“I’ll reveal that if you come with me to a party next week.”
“Give me the address first,” he insisted.
Seeing a chance, she swiftly replied, “Fine, but you must promise to come. I’ll text you the address.”
Once he had the address, Brian headed straight for the hospital.
He found Rachel when he arrived, seated in her hospital room.
The evening had settled in, cloaking everything in shadows, and she hadn’t bothered to turn on the light.
She had positioned a chair by the window and was sitting there silently, observing outside.
She was so absorbed was she that she didn’t see Brian approach.
“What are you watching so intently?” Brian leaned closer.
Rachel gestured toward a large tree outside, her tone even. “See that? One tree is vibrant and full, the other nearly bare, with just about a dozen leaves left. Try to guess when the last one will drop.”
Brian noticed a book lying nearby and wondered if her mood stemmed from something she had read.
“The night is drawing in, and it’s getting cold. Why don’t you rest in the bed?” he suggested.
Gently, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed.
Rachel met his eyes with a clear, steady look.
It seemed she had much on her mind, but upon seeing him, she understood that words were unnecessary.
Once comfortably in bed, Rachel settled in and said, “Could you get me a glass of water? I’m feeling quite
thirsty.”
Without hesitation, Brian passed her a glass of water.
She must have been parched, for she drank swiftly, with water escaping the corners of her mouth and trailing
down her neck.
“Take your time, there’s no need to rush,” Brian said, dabbing the water from her lips with a gentle touch.
Up close, he noticed how frail she appeared; her face was notably pale, almost colorless.
Proactively breaking the silence, Rachel inquired, “How is Tracy doing?”
