Chapter 193 You Need Me
More Than Tracy Ever Will
“I just bought some uncooked ravioli and cooked them at the hospital kitchen,” Brian explained.
Rachel was unexpectedly touched by his gesture. “Thanks a lot!”
“Make sure to take it easy and follow all the doctor’s instructions,” Brian instructed, making it clear he wasn’t planning to leave anytime soon.
“And what about you?”
“I’m staying right here with you,” he replied, his tone resolute.
Brian remained true to his word for the next two days.
On the morning of the third day, Tracy arrived, burdened with a pile of bulky folders.
“Brian, are you there?” she shouted. “I’m coming in!”
With that, she pushed the door open.
A look of astonishment crossed her face as she spotted Rachel. “What are you doing here?”
“Who else were you expecting?” retorted Rachel.
“I was under the impression that Doris was the one staying here, especially after her recent suicide attempt,” said Tracy, her expression contorted with envy.
The word around was that Doris had botched cosmetic surgery and had tried to end her life because of it. Tracy had believed Brian was attending to Doris during this period.
She hadn’t given it much thought until now, but she realized her assumptions had been mistaken all along.
“Now that you’ve delivered the documents, I’d appreciate it if you could leave,” Rachel said coldly.
“Why the hostility?” Tracy retorted sharply.
“This is all the response you’re going to receive from me,” Rachel responded.
Tracy was momentarily at a loss for words, her irritation was evident.
Her gaze swept the room and paused on a cup on the table.
She filled a glass with hot water and moved purposefully towards Rachel. “You must be parched. Drink this
water.”
“I don’t need it,” Rachel said.
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Chapter 193 You Need Me More Than Tracy Ever Will
“Have some–it might ease your throat for the next round of reprimands!” Tracy mocked.
Rachel gave her a cold look, fully aware of her ploy. “Don’t pretend I’m unaware of your games.”
At that moment, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
Tracy made her move, carelessly dropping the glass from her grasp.
Instantly, the sound of shattering glass filled the room.
Brian swung the door open and hurried inside.
Surveying the broken glass and spilled water, he quickly focused on Rachel. “Are you hurt? Did the hot water scald you?”
He then fetched a glass of warm water and handed it to Rachel. “Next time you need water, just let me know. Don’t go getting it yourself.”
Tracy, her lips pressed tightly together, simmered with anger.
Brian had completely overlooked her presence, assuming Rachel was responsible for the accident.
“Brian…” she murmured tentatively.
“Have you brought all the required documents?” Brian inquired, barely glancing her way.
“Yes, I have them,” Tracy responded.
“Good, you may leave now.” He dismissed her with a detached tone.
“I’ve burned my hand. Could you help me find some ointment?” Tracy requested, displaying her reddened, swollen hand.
She pursed her lips, managing to look both distressed and convincingly innocent.
“What happened here?” Brian asked.
Tracy hesitated briefly before responding, “I was trying to get Rachel some water because she looked so frail. Unfortunately, I wasn’t careful enough and the glass slipped, splashing the hot water on me.”
For once, Tracy refrained from implicating Rachel in her account.
Her original intent had been to blame Rachel, but observing Brian’s concern shifted her strategy.
Opting for a different approach, she took a risk.
Brian then addressed Rachel. “Do you still need some water?”
Rachel returned the glass to him with a gentle shake of her head.
Their long history together had given her a deep understanding of him. She could almost read his mind without him speaking.
“You should do what you feel is right. I won’t dictate your choices,” she said calmly.
“Take some rest. I’ll be back shortly.” Brian reassured her.
Chapter 193 You Need Me More Than Tracy Ever Will
Rachel acknowledged with a nod and settled back into her bed.
Turning to Tracy, Brian cautioned, “Next time, be more careful. Let’s go get that treated.”
Tracy’s spirits lifted as she linked her arm with his. “It doesn’t feel painful with you by my side.”
Side by side, they departed, their silhouettes visible through the frosted glass.
From her position, Rachel observed them in silence.
Brian proceeded at a measured pace, silently hoping Rachel would call out to him. He had resolved not to leave
if she expressed any hesitation or asked him to stay.
Yet, as he approached the doorway, Rachel remained silent. A sense of disappointment washed over him.
He gently disengaged his arm from Tracy’s and firmly said, “We should head out.”
Tracy hastened to regain her hold on his arm, but he deftly sidestepped her attempts.
Back in the room, Darren entered to see Rachel. “We need to prepare you for your dialysis shortly.”
“Understood,” Rachel answered.
Observing the scene, a young nurse felt a twinge of concern, aware of the discomfort the dialysis would likely cause Rachel, given her weakened condition.
“Why didn’t you ask your fiancé to stay? It seemed like the perfect moment,” the nurse inquired. “His company might have been comforting.”
Rachel gave a nod, acknowledging the nurse’s observation. With a slight smile, she responded, “Human nature is peculiar. By forsaking hope, we shield ourselves from disappointment. Yet, if we hold onto hope and face rejection, the pain is far sharper.”
Her thoughts remained composed.
Ten minutes after Brian had left, Rachel was escorted to her dialysis session.
By the time she returned to her room hours later, she was visibly drained.
Sweat had matted her hair to her face in a disheveled mess.
She appeared quite unwell, yet upon noticing Brian, she offered a weak smile. “Was Tracy taken care of for her burn?”
Brian nodded, his emotions overtaking him as he enveloped her in a hug. “You were aware of your treatment today, weren’t you?”
Rachel didn’t see the point in concealing the truth and gave a feeble nod.
“Why didn’t you inform me? Why wouldn’t you allow me to support you?”
Regret and self–blame laced Brian’s tone, these heavy emotions constricting his heart, nearly overwhelming him. Rachel replied, “I’ve said before, you’re free to make your choices. I have no right to dictate your actions.”
“But it’s you I want to be with,” Brian said, gently kissing her forehead.
Chapter 193 You Need Me More Than Tracy Ever Will
“You need me more than Tracy ever will,” he added.
Tears welled up in Rachel’s eyes as she looked up at him.
He was correct.
How different things might have been if he had realized this sooner…
With a hopeful smile, she said, “I’m asking for a lot. If you choose me, you can’t let anyone else pull you away, for any reason. Can you do that?”
