Chapter 15 Declaring Their Relationship Over
“If Tracy Haynes is the one you love, I won’t stand in your way. Feel free to go. I’ll explain everything to your grandparents, and we can cancel the wedding before it becomes more complicated.”
Rachel’s words faltered, her voice trailing into silence.
An excruciating ache bloomed in her chest, threatening to overwhelm her composure.
“Perhaps we could maintain the wedding arrangements exactly as they are–just with a different bride. You could marry Tracy, the woman who truly holds your heart, and finally declare your relationship to the world. Brian, let me be perfectly clear about this. You needn’t worry about any interference from me at your wedding. I’ll maintain my distance, ensuring I never intrude upon your happiness again. So tonight, let’s bid each other a peaceful farewell.” Rachel concluded her speech, but the ensuing silence stretched long and heavy between them.
When she finally gathered the courage to look up, she found Brian’s intense gaze fixed upon her, his eyes smoldering with barely contained fury.
She struggled to comprehend the source of his anger.
She had offered him freedom, graciously stepping aside so he and Tracy could embrace their love openly.
Logic dictated that he should be overjoyed, celebrating this moment of liberation—not standing before her with such raw fury etched across his features.
After an eternity of tense silence, Brian’s voice emerged, sharp as winter frost. “Is this truly what you wished to convey? Remember, you were the one who pursued me first. I haven’t declared our relationship over, so what gives you the right to walk away?”
Crimson tinged his eyes. His voice emerged rough and strained. He projected genuine heartbreak in every gesture.
Yet Rachel understood the truth beneath his performance. Brian’s distress stemmed
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Chapter 15 Declaring Their Relationship Over
not from reluctance to lose her, but from the wounded pride of a man unaccustomed to rejection. He couldn’t tolerate being dumped. Nothing more complicated than that.
“Brian, I’m exhausted by all this. Can’t we simply part ways peacefully?”
“No.” His rejection resonated with unwavering finality.
He enveloped her in his embrace, his towering frame pressing against hers as his breath whispered across her ear. “You have no permission to leave without my consent.”
Though Rachel attempted to dismiss his words, his actions proved his resolve.
One hand glided beneath her nightgown, claiming possession of her slender waist.
His lips traced the delicate curve of her earlobe with deliberate sensuality.
Rachel had always been powerless against his intimate advances.
Her body betrayed her whenever he chose to torment her with such calculated
tenderness.
Sensing her involuntary trembles, Brian’s lips curved into a knowing smile.
He grazed her earlobe with gentle teeth, his voice honey–sweet and hypnotic. “Admit the truth–you still desire me desperately. Your body reveals what your words deny. Stay with me, and never speak of leaving again.”
Rachel dared not part her lips, knowing any sound would emerge as surrender.
Brian would seize upon it as evidence of her capitulation.
Yet his dominance exceeded even her darkest expectations.
He buried his face in the graceful column of her neck, marking her with insistent kisses.
His lips traveled from neck to chin before claiming her mouth.
“Be good now. Tell me you still love me.”
Rachel found herself melting beneath his relentless kisses.
She managed only a weak protest. “No, I don’t love you anymore.”
Brian’s anger flared hot against her skin as he bit down none too gently, sending sharp pain through her chest.
After marking her, he soothed the sting with tender kisses, his voice coaxing. “That
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Chapter 15 Declaring Their Relationship Over
wasn’t the right answer, precious. Try again.”
“No, I won’t yield.” Rachel maintained her resistance against his demands.
Eventually, exhaustion clouded her mind until she repeated his desired words. “Yes, I
love you.”
“Say it again.” Brian captured her hand, his gaze deceptively gentle.
“I love…” Rachel’s thoughts scattered like autumn leaves.
Brian guided her hand to rest against his chest, orchestrating her repeated confessions.
“I love you, Brian. I love you beyond reason.” Rachel echoed his words in breathless
surrender
But as her eyes lifted to study his features, clarity crashed through her haze.
Her delicate fingers traced the stern lines of his brow with haunting tenderness.
Then she spoke, her voice soft but steady. “Brian, perhaps I shouldn’t blame you so harshly. I understand how deeply you resent being coerced. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when you refused Maddox’s million–dollar demand for my safety, even though such an amount means nothing to your wealth.”
It represented mere pocket change to a man of his means.
Brian interpreted her words as acceptance.
He smiled, bestowing a kiss upon her forehead with evident satisfaction. “Rachel, I’m pleased you finally understand.”
But her exploring fingers suddenly stilled against his skin.
Her next words emerged like a blade wrapped in silk. “Tell me then–if it had been Tracy with a knife against her throat today, would you have made the same choice?”
Brian visibly stiffened.
For a moment, he just stood there, frozen, as if Rachel’s question had knocked the wind
out of him.
He probably hadn’t expected her to ask something so direct.
“You two are different. There can be no comparison between the two,” he finally managed, his voice strained.
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Chapter 15 Declaring Their Relationship Over
Rachel’s smile held no warmth. “No comparison? Or are you simply afraid to make one? Because I already know the truth, Brian. You would have paid that million without. hesitation–even ten million–to keep her safe. So it was never about resisting threats. It was about not valuing me enough to pay them.”
Rachel forced herself to voice these painful truths, laying bare the reality they had both
avoided.
Though each word carved fresh wounds into her heart, she refused to retreat from this moment of clarity.
Some truths demanded to be spoken, no matter how much they hurt.
Brian’s prolonged silence filled the room like a heavy fog.
Rachel rose quietly, reaching for her clothes.
The air had grown suffocating, and she yearned for the cool night breeze.
Yet before she could leave the bed, his arm shot out, pulling her into a desperate
embrace.
“Please don’t go,” he pleaded, his voice uncharacteristically vulnerable.
“Then answer one question honestly. If I, as your girlfriend, begged you not to save
Tracy, would you agree?”
Brian’s silence spoke volumes.
They both knew he would save Tracy’s life, regardless of Rachel’s feelings.
His arms slowly loosened their grip until they fell away entirely.
Rachel left the room with a bitter smile playing across her lips.
Brian’s departure followed shortly after.
When morning light crept through the windows, Rachel entered the bedroom with quiet determination.
She opened the wardrobe methodically, packing a single suitcase with essential belongings.
An hour later, she slipped away from the villa, leaving no trace of her presence behind.
Five days passed without a single call from Brian; his silence a tacit acceptance of their
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Chapter 15 Declaring The Relationship Over
ending
Her next encounter with Tracy occurred in the company elevator.
Tracy stood resplendent in a red dress, her complexion glowing with the unmistakable
radiance of contentment.
Upon noticing Rachel, she offered an enthusiastic greeting. “Good morning, Rachell I’ve just returned to work after taking a few days off.”
“I see,” Rachel responded, her voice carefully neutral.
Tracy’s smile faltered at Rachel’s detached response. She stamped her heel against the elevator floor, teeth clenched in barely contained fury, “What’s with this attitude? Don’t you have something you should say me?”
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Requiem of A Broken Heart
