Chapter 138 It’s My Fault
Rachel’s gaze locked onto Brian again, her voice cutting like a blade. “Brian, you truly have a heart of stone. I won’t deny it–someone stepped in to help me. But even a near–stranger, someone who barely knows me, couldn’t just stand by and did something. And you?”
Each of her words bled raw emotion, echoing from the deepest wounds of her soul, heavy with the weight of
all the pain she had carried alone.
“As my boyfriend, where were you when I was drowning in despair? What were you doing? Throughout these years, when have you ever been there for me in times of crisis? I might as well be single rather than having a so -called boyfriend. During rainstorms, I’m left to fend for myself. When illness strikes, I drag myself to the
hospital alone. Even on my birthday, I celebrate in solitude. I’ve made countless wishes about you, but sadly…”
Her lips curved into a smile, but it held too much sorrow. It resembled a rose on the verge of withering, beautiful yet fading.
With bitterness etched across her face, she continued, “None of those wishes ever came true. I always believed you were simply too focused on work and somewhat clueless about relationships, so I tolerated and understood your absence. But then Tracy returned, and I suddenly realized how wrong I was. When she fell ill, you
somehow found time for her. When she suffered injury, you materialized at her side. Whenever she called for
you, you appeared. And what about me?”
U
Rachel pressed her hand against her chest, silently commanding herself not to cry, not to surrender a single
tear.
“When I needed you, you vanished. Even when your company’s employees insulted me, you remained silent. Have you ever considered standing up for me? Brian, after sharing so many years together, I don’t feel like your girlfriend. Do you know what I feel like?” She looked at him, her smile drenched in despair.
Brian’s lips compressed into a tight line, his expression unreadable, emotions buried deep beneath the surface.
“What do you feel like?” he finally asked, breaking his prolonged silence.
Rachel released a cold laugh before revealing the answer. “It’s as though I’m your servant, a tool you’ve used
and worn down over the years.
That was why he thought she possessed no emotions. She wouldn’t erupt in anger or dissolve into sadness.
She would feel nothing, allowing him to wound her repeatedly.
But he was so wrong. She was a living, breathing person. She could experience pain and shed tears. She harbored emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. She yearned for care and affection…
Brian instinctively stretched out his hand as he stepped forward, but Rachel shifted slightly, evading his touch. The last thing she craved now was his pity.
“Rachel…” Brian’s heart constricted as though crushed by a boulder, countless words struggling to escape. Yet
his lips merely trembled, managing only to whisper her name.
“I don’t want to hear any of your explanation!”
“I…” His lips moved frantically, attempting to explain, but Rachel had lost all interest in listening.
“I won’t be joining you for lunch today. You can have anyone accompany you, even a stranger from the street,
but not me.”
With that declaration, Rachel snatched her purse and decisively strode from the restaurant.
Doris observed the scene, seizing the moment to dash forward and grasp Rachel’s sleeve. “Rachel, please don’t be angry. Brian didn’t mean it. You two should sit down and talk things through.”
Rachel shot her an icy glare and pulled away. “Enough. There are some truths that only you know in your heart. Let’s stop this pretense. It’s revolting.”
This time, she departed without a backward glance.
The room lapsed into silence, with only the steady ticking of the wall clock disturbing the stillness.
Doris cast a furtive glance at Brian, unable to decipher the emotions concealed in the depths of his eyes.
“Brian, I believe Rachel is genuinely upset. Perhaps you should pursue her and offer comfort?” she suggested
cautiously.
Brian remained motionless, maintaining his silence for what felt like an eternity.
“Brian… You’re about to marry her. You should go to her. Don’t worry, I can manage lunch by myself.”
Brian said nothing, but turned abruptly, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.
Watching his determined back as he walked out, Doris immediately regretted her words.
She had only been speaking casually, never anticipating that Brian would actually pursue Rachel.
From Rachel’s impassioned words, it appeared Brian held no genuine affection for her whatsoever.
A woman celebrated her birthday in solitude–how could anyone believe she had been cherished?
Doris had witnessed Brian during the period when his capacity for devotion shone brightest. During his college years, in the golden days of youth, he lavished attention on Tracy. Despite his privileged background, he personally attended to her every need and whim.
Doris recalled with perfect clarity the moment he inquired why Tracy avoided strawberries.
She had responded, tugging playfully at his sleeve, “Oh, I don’t like the black seeds on strawberries. It’s too tedious to pick them all out.”
In response, Brian had painstakingly removed every single seed with a toothpick, demonstrating remarkable patience.
Doris remembered how Tracy had reclined contentedly in his arms, the very picture of a cherished girlfriend.
And Rachel? Doris inwardly laughed. Rachel was nothing more than a disposable object. Her inevitable fate was to be discarded once her usefulness expired. What true value could she possibly possess?
A profound satisfaction washed over Doris in that moment. Though Tracy also represented competition for
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Chapter 138 It’s My Fault
Brian’s affections, her immediate priority remained preventing Brian and Rachel’s marriage,
Tracy could be dealt with later. After all, Carol would never approve of that union.
As Brian departed, Doris followed him outside.
A light drizzle had begun, leaving the ground slick and cold, with a penetrating chill permeating the air.
“Brian, it’s raining. Why not eat something before you leave?” Doris attempted to persuade him.
Brian turned, regarding her with unusual seriousness, and asked, “Doris, what do you think she means to me?”
The unexpected question caught Doris completely off guard.
Should she reveal the truth as she perceived it? She hesitated momentarily before responding. “Rachel is right. She doesn’t appear to be your girlfriend. Brian, I understand you selected her as a last resort because Carol approves of her. But life stretches too long to spend with someone you don’t love. The journey ahead will be immensely difficult.”
Doris concluded, secretly pleased, believing her words might alter his perspective.
But she had clearly misjudged the situation.
Brian gazed upward at the increasingly heavy rainfall, murmuring quietly, “It’s my fault.”
