Chapter 147 She Protected
Andres
Rachel’s smile was tinged with bitterness.
She was still uncertain about her true desires. Did Brian really believe that all she wanted was a wedding? What she craved was his genuine love and commitment. Without that love, a wedding dress and ceremony would be hollow, merely going through the motions.
“Brian, I’m sorry, but I can no longer listen to your empty promises. Perhaps you find it hard to let me go. I’ve been by your side for so long. A girl who is so accommodating and strives so hard to please, like me, doesn’t come around often. That’s why you cling to me. Or maybe it’s because your grandparents have grown fond of me, and you think I’m a safe choice. But I refuse to settle for that. What does the wedding mean to me? The moment Tracy beckons, you’ll abandon me as you have done time and again. In your heart, she remains the important one, always first and irreplaceable.”
Previously, she tolerated being second best. She believed she could accept always being secondary in his affections. But it dawned on her that she wasn’t even his second choice. Perhaps Doris held more significance to him than she ever did. Thus, she abandoned all hope.
This time, Rachel remained tearless. After everything happened last night, she found herself able to speak these truths with composure and self–respect.
Yet Brian was not prepared to release her. “Rachel, I’m telling you again, come back to me. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
His warning was almost explicit.
Rachel stood firm, her lip caught between her teeth, resolved not to yield.
“Rachel, this is your final opportunity,” he said, his tone teetering on the brink of impatience.
He then took out his phone and dialed.
Rachel assumed he was calling assistance.
Given his control over this domain and the resources at his command, it made sense he wouldn’t personally handle a situation he could simply delegate with a few calls.
His approach was typically blunt, forceful, and resolute.
Yet, in this moment, Rachel didn’t flinch but positioned herself firmly between Brian and Andres.
“If you want to get to him, over my dead body,” she said resolutely, her stance protective of Andres.
Brian paused, wondering if he had misheard her.
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Chapter 147 She Protected Andres
He scoffed coldly, his eyes tinged with red, saying, “Am I hearing things? Suddenly, you’re ready to defend another man with such ferocity. What about us? You gave up your feelings for me so easily?”
Rachel’s response was equally cold.
“My feelings for you?” Rachel laughed bitterly, her laugh echoing twice more in the cold air.
She then said pointedly, “Brian, I gave you everything once, but you didn’t value it. I offered my heart, but you rejected it, calling it flawed. You discarded it, flung it to the earth, and even trampled it, pressing it deep into the dirt. Now, it’s been picked up and cherished by someone else. Who do you think it will side with?” With those words, she wearily closed her eyes.
By this time, onlookers had formed a dense circle around them, their presence almost enveloping the scene.
The sheer number of spectators was evident from the echoing footsteps alone.
“I realize I can’t compete with you. If you truly desire my end, then proceed,” Rachel said, her arms spread open, standing boldly and without fear before Andres.
Her frame was petite and delicate. There was a noticeable height disparity between them; her head barely reached Andres’s chest. Nevertheless, she positioned herself protectively in front of him, using her body as a
shield.
Brian observed the scene, a sharp twinge suddenly piercing his chest. This minor ache quickly spread throughout his chest. It soon became almost unbearable.
When she talked about breaking up, it didn’t hurt. When she hit him and hurled insults, it didn’t hurt either. Even her declarations of lost love hadn’t affected his heart.
However, at this moment, watching her steadfastly use her body to protect another man–the same arms that used to protect him–he felt a profound emptiness in his chest, as though something precious had been
stripped away.
“Will you truly leave with him, regardless of the circumstances?” Brian’s voice emerged deep and hoarse when he spoke again.
Rachel gave a silent nod, offering no words in return.
She then watched Brian turn away and ascend the stairs.
Within five minutes, the assembled crowd had dispersed.
It dawned on Rachel that Brian had decided to let them leave peacefully.
“We should get going!”
Without hesitation, Rachel took Andres’s hand and they both entered the car.
Only after they were well along the road did Rachel turn to the man beside her.
“Mr. Garrett, thank you so much for everything today! Also, I apologize. I really just needed a lift to create a certain impression. I never intended for you to get hurt.”
Andres was about to dismiss it as nothing when he reconsidered. “Well, since that’s the case, you accompanying me to the hospital for some ointment isn’t asking too much, is it?”
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Unexpectedly, Rachel spotted Tracy among the crowd,
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Yet Tracy persisted, approaching closer and amplifying her voice. “Rachel, is that really you? At first, I thought 1 was mistaken
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