Chapter 109 Fragile Life
Brian visbly froze for a moment
During the journey there, he had contemplated how to explan the situation to Rachel without provoking her
Yet upon seeing her face, he decided agains mentioning Tracy to prevent any potential backlash
Unexpectedly, she broached the subject hersel
1 arbed just in time and managed to save her. Formaey, she wasn’t volated,” he explained, his voice carefully measured
Rachel nodded. “That’s good to hear.”
Her calm tone washed over him like a cool breeze. Brian realized she wasn’t angry anymore, and a rare sense of relief flooded through him
“Rachel, thank you,” he murmured
“For what?”
For not being mad.”
With one arm encrding her slender waist, be pressed a gente kiss against her forehead
However, as he leaned in to deepen the kies, she turned her head away. I’m not feeling well Let’s save this for
another time,” she whispered
Brian remained silent
That evening, they had dinner together
During their meal, Rachel casually inquired. “You wore that wedding suit when you went to save Tracy, didn’t
you?”
Brian had completely forgotten this detail
Her reminder struck him immediately, the memory returning with starting dariny
*Please don’t be upset,” he hastased to explain. I have Ronald take it to be cleaned and restored. ‘I look
just like new.*
Rachel set her spoon down, her expression readable. There’s no need. Once something gets dirty, no matter how much you scrub it, it’s never truly the same. Just buy another one–you can afford it‘
Brian reached for her band ‘Sure I thought you were mad. Thank God I was wrong ”
Rachel tilted her head slightly, studying him with a knowing smile. What do you think I spend my days
Chapter 109 Fragile Life
constantly angry?”
“No,” he admitted.
After dinner, Rachel leaned back against her pillows and stared at the hospital TV, though she wasn’t really
watching.
Her mind was tangled in two thoughts.
One was the medical check–up scheduled for tomorrow.
She wished, just for a second, that reality could be rewritten–that she would wake up and find it had all been
a bad dream.
The other thought was more immediate. When was Brian going to leave?
It was already ten o’clock.
She waited another half hour before finally speaking up. “I’m tired. I want to sleep.”
Brian didn’t argue. He simply turned off the main light and said, “Go to sleep.”
Rachel frowned slightly. “You’re not leaving?”
“I’m staying with you.”
“What if you get tired?”
Brian leaned back against the chair and gestured toward her bed. “Your bed’s big enough. If I get tired, I can just squeeze in with you.”
“This bed is kind of short. I don’t think you’d be comfortable.”
He chuckled, ruffling her hair like she was overthinking things. “Why are you worrying about me? Just sleep.”
“Alright.”
Rachel closed her eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily.
With Brian so close, she couldn’t bring herself to toss and turn. Instead, she remained still, pretending to be
asleep.
Minutes passed–ten, maybe fifteen–before she felt a shadow cast over her.
Then, a familiar scent enveloped her.
It was Brian’s scent–subtle, elegant, laced with that warm, woody aroma she had come to recognize so well.
He leaned down, his breath warm against her skin. “Goodnight,” he murmured.
Then, his lips brushed against hers.
A soft, lingering kiss. Tender. Careful Almost reverent.
Moments later, she heard him step away. The quiet click of the door signaled his exit.
Only then did her tears finally slip free.
Chapter 109 Fragde Life
But less than a minute later, the door creaked open again.
Her breath hitched. Heart pounding, she quickly wiped her tears and resumed her act–still, quiet, asleep.
She wasn’t sure when sleep finally took her.
Sometime in the middle of the night, she stirred, feeling a firm pressure against her back. Half–awake, she
reached behind her, her fingers brushing against something solid, like a wall. But it was warm.
Feeling the chill of the night, she instinctively shifted closer, her fingers exploring for the mysterious warmth.
Behind her, Brian’s body tensed, every muscle freezing in place as he barely dared to breathe.
In the profound silence of midnight, her wandering hand tested the very limits of his restraint.
Unable to endure the sweet torture any longer, Brian captured both her hands with one of his own.
Now rendered immobile, Rachel released a soft whimper of protest.
“Let go!” she pleaded, her voice barely audible in the darkness.
His voice was low, husky, edged with restraint. “Be good. Don’t move. If you keep squirming like that, I might
not be able to stop myself.”
In her semi–conscious state, understanding gradually dawned on her, and Rachel felt a curious sense of peace
settle over her.
When morning arrived, Ronald’s call about a company matter broke the delicate equilibrium between them.
“You should go,” Rachel suggested, her voice surprisingly steady.
Brian studied her. “You really want me to leave?”
“Yes.” She nodded, her expression calm, unreadable.
For a moment, he didn’t move, as if expecting her to change her mind.
But even as he reached the door, she didn’t call him back.
Instead, silence greeted him. A strange, stifling feeling settled in his chest. Without another word, he left.
As soon as Brian was gone, Rachel headed to the nurse’s station.
The request for her body check–up had already been processed.
Familiar with the procedure now, she completed all the necessary tests by ten in the morning.
“Doctor, when will the results be ready?” she asked.
“Within one to three hours.”
“Alright. Please let me know when they’re available.”
With that, Rachel left.
The hospital was private, but it was vast–one of the most renowned medical facilities in the city.
She wandered through its corridors, letting her feet guide her without a destination in mind.
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Chapter 109 Fragile Life
Before long, she found herself in the critical care unit.
Families lingered outside it, their faces lined with worry and exhaustion.
Through the glass, she saw the patients inside–silent figures connected to an intricate maze of tubes, their fragile lives sustained by cold, unfeeling machines. They lay there, unmoving.
Were they still fighting to live? Or had they already surrendered to the inevitable? She wondered.
Later, she drifted toward the cancer’s center.
There, the suffering was laid bare. Some patients writhed in agony, their voices hoarse from crying. Others had no strength left, lying motionless in bed, their quiet sobs barely audible.
Perhaps the chemotherapy had drained them. Perhaps they were just tired–tired of the pain, the struggle, the
endless uncertainty.
Rachel saw so many faces–old lady’s, teenage girl’s, and even toddler’s.
Life was so fragile. Rachel sighed. And what about her? Would she end up the same way?
Hair falling out. Confined to a hospital bed. Drowning in pain. Watching her own life slip away–piece by piece.
Or worse–trapped in a state where she was alive but barely living. A hollow existence, clinging to life without dignity or meaning.
Her eyes stung. A lump formed in her throat.
Rachel wasn’t sure how long she wandered aimlessly through the hospital until her phone rang. She pulled it out with slightly trembling fingers.
The nurse’s voice came through. “Ms. Marsh, your re–examination results are ready.”
Rachel exhaled slowly. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”
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