Chapter 13 No Comparison Was Needed Anymore
Rachel’s heart trembled with desperate hope. If he chose her now, in this crucial moment, she could forgive every past wound, every painful memory.
Even if Tracy still held his heart, his protection in this life–or–death moment would be enough to sustain her.
Hope bloomed in her chest as she waited.
Tracy’s face darkened with displeasure, her fingers curling into tight fists.
Rachel’s easy acceptance of the proposal had caught her off guard.
Composing herself, Tracy softened her voice. “Rachel, spare me your noble gestures. I’m not sacrificing myself out of some grand principle–I simply don’t want Brian caught in an impossible position.”
A bitter smile twisted Rachel’s lips. “How touching. Your devotion truly brings tears to
the eyes.”
She had to acknowledge that Tracy’s masterful way of claiming the moral high ground was something she could never match.
“Enough stalling,” Maddox snapped, his patience wearing thin. “Are you switching places or not?”
“Yes,” Tracy declared firmly.
As she stepped forward, Brian’s hand shot out, catching her wrist.
“Brian?” Tracy’s voice wavered.
He pulled her behind him protectively. “This is my battle. Don’t put yourself at risk— stay safe. I couldn’t bear to see you in danger!”
His words pierced Rachel’s heart like shards of glass.
He couldn’t bear to see Tracy at risk–the truth of where she stood in his heart
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crystallized with brutal clarity.
No comparison was needed anymore.
Rachel said nothing. After all, what words could describe the ache of realizing she meant less to someone than she had hoped?
Her silence, however, didn’t go
unnoticed.
Brian’s gaze flickered with guilt, his voice softer now. “Rachel, I’m sorry. I will save you, but not like this. I can’t sacrifice Tracy’s safety for yours. I can’t trade one life for
another.”
Rachel nodded, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “I understand.”
How could she ever expect him to value her life the same way he did Tracy’s?
Maddox’s patience snapped. He turned to Brian, his voice rising to a shout. “If there’s no switch, what about the money? Are you paying or not?”
Brian’s expression hardened to ice, his gaze sharp as steel. “In all my years, no one who’s threatened me has lived to boast about it. If you’re smart, release her now.”
A maniacal laugh burst from Maddox as he tightened his grip on the knife. “Then you leave me no choice. I warned you. If I go down, I’m taking someone with me!”
The blade pressed against Rachel’s throat.
She didn’t beg or plead, simply closing her eyes to shut out the world.
The cold metal against her skin made her think of the pain to come–a neck wound would be excruciating, and messy.
The thought of such an ugly death pained her.
Brian’s grandparents would be devastated to lose her so violently.
The thought of their heartbreak almost hurt more than the impending blade.
Drawing a steady breath, she made one final request. “Maddox, for the sake of our years working together on the same project, grant me a single wish?”
“Say it!” Maddox demanded.
“Don’t strike my neck. Choose anywhere else–my waist, back, stomach–just one clean stab. Grant me a swift death, not an ugly one.”
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Maddox’s lips‘ twisted into a cruel sneer. “Very well, I’ll honor your final wish.”
He raised the blade, aiming for her stomach with deadly intent.
“Rachel, move!” Brian’s desperate shout pierced the air as his body launched forward with lightning speed.
A tremendous force slammed into Rachel, sending her crashing to the floor.
Pain radiated through her limbs as she landed face–down on the cold floor.
Tracy’s panicked cry shattered the moment. “Brian, watch out!”
In a blur of white, she hurled herself between Brian and the blade. The knife tore through her back, crimson blooming across her pristine dress like spilled wine.
Brian caught her falling form just as security burst in, subduing Maddox with swift
efficiency.
Samira rushed to Rachel’s side, helping her up. “Are you alright?”
Rachel shook her head.
Everything had happened too fast.
Her mind was still piecing it together.
Brian tried to save her, but Tracy saved him instead.
The irony tasted bitter–Tracy’s position in his heart would surely soar even higher now.
Rachel had never mastered the art of seizing such moments.
Samira’s whispered words cut through her thoughts. “Tracy Haynes is so transparent. I saw everything clearly. Maddox’s attack was amateur–Mr. White could have easily overpowered him.
Tracy threw herself in deliberately. He never needed her protection. It’s nauseating.”
Rachel had anticipated as much.
“Let’s not dwell on it. Your head injury needs attention. I’m taking you to the hospital.”
She reached for Samira’s hand.
Samira nodded. “Alright.”
As they approached the exit, they encountered Brian cradling Tracy, his face etched
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with unprecedented concern.
“Brian,” Tracy’s voice wavered. “Are you… hurt?”
“I’m fine. Save your strength. The ambulance is coming. You’ll recover, I promise.”
“It’s so… cold,” Tracy whimpered. “Hold me closer? Your embrace must be… so warm.”
Brian’s gaze flickered toward Rachel and Samira, but Tracy’s tearful voice pulled him
back.
“Brian… it hurts so much,” Tracy whimpered, her tears spilling freely. “Am I… am I going to die?”
“No,” Brian said, his voice firm. “You’re going to be fine.”
“Then please… hold me tighter?”
Brian wordlessly drew her closer.
The breeze carried a whisper of a smile onto Tracy’s lips.
She tilted her head ever so slightly, just enough to cast a glance in Rachel’s direction. The message in her eyes was clear. Rachel could never replace her.
Rachel’s fingers curled into fists. Her face remained composed, her lips pressing into a smile–one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Two minutes later, the ambulance arrived.
Brian wasted no time. He carried Tracy inside, his every movement careful, as if she
were made of glass.
Samira, despite the blow to her head, was still bleeding faintly. Rachel was worried and
wanted to go along to the hospital for treatment.
But before she could take a step forward, Samira tugged on her sleeve. “My head’s
feeling much better. There’s no rush. Let’s take a taxi instead.”
Rachel hesitated. “Are you sure?”
Samira smiled. “Absolutely. Don’t worry. I’m tougher than I look.”
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Chapter 13 No Comparison Was Needed Anymore
They watched as the ambulance pulled away, sirens blaring into the night. Only then did Samira finally voice the question she had been holding back. “Is Mr. White your
fiancé?”
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