Chapter 14 You’re Having Second Thoughts, Aren’t…
Shock etched deeply across Rachel’s face, her eyes wide with surprise.
She glanced toward Samira.
Sweeping her hair aside with a smile, Samira said, “Judging by your reaction, I must have guessed right.”
“How could you possibly know?” Rachel inquired.
Samira explained, “Earlier, when I attempted to approach Mr. White upstairs, Tracy consistently blocked me. She looked at you like you were a threat. Furthermore, the pain on your face was unmistakable when he chose to protect her over you, and just moments ago, you tried to mask your heartache.”
At this, Rachel stopped hiding her emotions.
She gave a hesitant nod. “Our wedding date is set, yes, but its certainty now hangs by a thread. Samira, let’s keep this between us.”
Samira responded with a nod of her own, “Your secret’s safe with me. I won’t breathe a word without your go–ahead.”
“Let’s head to the hospital now.”
“Okay.”
Luckily, the injury Samira sustained was minor, merely a scratch.
Rachel, nevertheless, insisted she take a couple of days off to recover at home.
As they were about to go their separate ways, Samira turned back. “I hope you’ll excuse my earlier intrusion. It wasn’t my intention to delve into your private matters. You just remind me so much of my older sister.”
With a curious gaze, Rachel looked back at her.
Bathed in sunlight, her expression was serene yet striking.
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Chapter 14 You’re Having Second Thoughts, Aren’t You
“Much like you, my sister was also engaged to her long–time partner. They had been together for eight years and had their wedding planned. She was, five months into her pregnancy by then, her belly just beginning to show. However, her fiancé was unfaithful. The revelation was too much for my sister; she leapt from the eighteenth floor. Her life ended since then.” Samira relayed with eerie calmness, her voice steady.
Despite Samira’s composed exterior, Rachel sensed the deep pain swirling underneath.
Moving quickly, she embraced Samira with a firm hug and ran her hand soothingly across Samira’s back.
“Let it out if you need to cry. Don’t bottle it up. Who says we can’t shed tears when life gets tough?” Rachel’s comforting words shattered Samira’s composure. No longer able to contain her emotions, she wept loudly against Rachel. Her sobs gradually softened. yet grew more sorrowful.
“I blame myself. I saw the signs of her depression. I never should have left her side. If only I had stayed, perhaps she wouldn’t have come to harm. It’s all my fault.”
As Samira’s tears flowed, Rachel felt her pain more acutely.
Once Samira had cried out all her grief, she dried her tears. “So, I hope you can always cherish yourself. No man is worth sacrificing our very lives.”
Rachel nodded in agreement. “I’ll remember that. Please go home and rest.”
Following the incident, she made a call to Ronald.
“Is this Ms. Marsh?”
“How’s Tracy Haynes doing?” Rachel asked.
“She’s sustained a cut on her back. It’s not deep, merely a lengthy slash,” Ronald told
her.
“Thanks for the update.”
Ronald paused after the call, then decided to inform Brian regardless.
Brian’s expression darkened. “She didn’t ask for anything else?”
Ronald shook his head.
“Did she seem to want me back immediately?”
“Not at all.”
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Chapter 14 You’re Having Second Thoughts, Aren’t You
Later that evening, Rachel opted for an early night, allowing her to get into bed sooner.
She fell asleep quickly but woke up suddenly in the early hours.
As her eyes fluttered open, the door creaked open.
A soft glow filled the room as someone switched on a small lamp.
Then, Brian’s face came into clear view.
Startled, her eyes widened as she tried to make sense of the sight.
Her voice trembled slightly. “Why… why are you back?”
He approached, his body radiating the chill of the late hour.
He held her chin firmly with one hand, then leaned in to kiss her passionately and forcefully.
His embrace felt like an attempt to shatter her resolve, his demands unyielding.
Rachel’s head was forced back, her body barely resisting.
A chill ran through her as his cold hand grazed her waist, prompting a suppressed whimper. Only then did he ease his hold.
Confusion clouded her expression.
Her eyes, wide and shimmering, met his with an air of uncertainty.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Brian whispered, his voice deep as his hand
stroked her cheek.
Rachel remained silent.
He asked again, “Why does my return surprise you so much?”
This time, she chose to respond.
Raising her head, she said deliberately, “Tracy Haynes was hurt because of you. I assumed you’d stay with her, I never expected you to return.”
She was just telling the truth.
Yet, Brian felt an inexplicable surge of anger. He was her fiancé. However, the thought
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Chapter 14 You’re Having Second Thoughts, Aren’t You
of him spending the night with another woman seemed to disturb her less than he
expected.
She wasn’t angry or jealous. Throughout it all, she hadn’t reached out to him–not a
single call or message.
“Rachel?” Brian suddenly chuckled, his laughter tinged with sarcasm. “You said you love me, but I don’t feel it. Does your love mean letting me go, not caring, being okay with sharing me with someone else?”
Rachel’s eyes grew wide. She resisted blinking, fearing that tears would escape if she
did.
Her entire facade of strength was about to crumble.
He had made his choice for Tracy, leaving her behind. His heart belonged to another,
not her.
Yet, the fault seemed to fall on her shoulders. It seemed that not being loved made every action she took feel wrong.
With a deep struggle to keep her sadness at bay, Rachel tightened her grip until the pain was numb, and then she managed to say, “You’re right. I don’t love you anymore.”
To continue loving him had become an unbearable burden.
Their relationship had been a constant chase–he always ahead, she always a step
behind.
Hope existed only as long as she was willing to wait for him.
Now, exhausted, she could no longer continue her love for him.
She wanted to let go.
She had once dreamed that he might notice her efforts and love her back. Had he paid closer attention, he would have seen her weariness and despair.
But his focus had remained fixed on Tracy.
If that was his choice, she was ready to let him go.
She said, “Our engagement was too hasty. When Tracy was out of the picture, you saw me as a compliant, manageable girlfriend–a convenient choice. Now that Tracy has returned and is alone, you’re having second thoughts, aren’t you?”
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