Chapter 209 It’s Just Possessiveness
A sharp pain shot through Rachel’s chest.
If Brian already knew the truth, why did he choose to stay silent back then?
One sentence from him was far more useful than any of her explanation.
And yet, he let her be misunderstood, standing by without a single word in her defense.
That only proved he had no love for her, not even the slightest bit of compassion.
If it had been Tracy in her place, he wouldn’t have hesitated to step in. He would’ve defended her without a
second thought, never allowing her to suffer even the smallest slight.
But for Rachel? Was she nothing more than someone he could step on whenever he pleased?
Rachel put on a shirt and lifted her gaze. “Thank you for your help. You can leave now.”
Brian caught her wrist. “Avoiding the topic? Why won’t you answer me?”
“What about you? You knew everything, yet you let them twist the truth. Have I ever even crossed your mind?”
Rachel couldn’t hold back anymore. “Do you enjoy seeing me humiliated? Do you get some twisted satisfaction out of watching me be misunderstood and trampled on? Or am I just meant to be your obedient shadow, always there when you need me, always struggling without you?”
Her words hit Brian hard, like sharp nails driven straight into his chest. He had never once seen it from that perspective.
“No, that’s not what I-” Brian hesitated, struggling for words. “I just… I wanted you to come to me, to ask for my help.”
His heart pounded erratically, as if he were tumbling into a bottomless abyss. It hit him then–he had made a terrible mistake. He had been completely, utterly wrong.
Rachel let out a bitter laugh. “Come to you? Haven’t I begged you enough times already? I’m a person, not some pet you keep around to entertain you. When you’re in a good mood, I’m allowed to be near you. When you’re not, I have to grovel for your attention. I’m a human. I feel pain too. I don’t have much time…”
She stopped mid–sentence, realizing she was dangerously close to losing control.
Her emotions were spiraling, and she had nearly said something she shouldn’t have.
But right now, it felt like her heart was being ripped to shreds.
“Just because I stay silent doesn’t mean I don’t care. I care, Brian. I care more than you know. I know you love
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Chapter 209 It’s Just Possessiveness
Tracy–you always do. You would give up everything for her, even your own future. That’s why I stepped back. I didn’t want to be in your way. But you and I… we were happy once too.” Her voice cracked as she finally
broke down.
She clutched her chest as the ache inside her deepened, almost unbearable.
“I’m not foolish enough to expect you to love me. I don’t expect you to acknowledge what we had or to change your mind. All I want is for you to respect my choice and leave me alone.”
Was that really too much to ask for? Why did she have to be dragged through the mud again and again?
She wiped her tears and took a shaky breath. “When I saw you coming, I was happy. I thought—even if you don’t love me, at least you wouldn’t just watch me be humiliated. But…”
Her voice caught in her throat, and she couldn’t go on.
Reality was cruel, and the truth was clear–his choice would always be Tracy.
After pouring out her feelings, Rachel wiped away her tears.
Maybe it was the release she needed because, strangely, she felt lighter. When she finally spoke, the desperation in her voice had disappeared, replaced by a quiet, composed tone.
“Let’s just drop it. There’s no point in discussing this any further. Once my project is wrapped up, I’ll resign and stay out of your way. It’s late. You should leave now.”
Rachel steadied herself and gestured toward the door, making it clear that their conversation was over. But before she could take another breath, Brian pulled her into a tight embrace.
His voice dropped to a low, regretful tone. “Rachel, I messed up. But I swear, I never meant to embarrass you or ignore you. I was just… angry. And jealous.”
The moment he said those words, a weight seemed to lift off his chest. The words came effortlessly. “I won’t deny it–I’m jealous of Andres. So much that I can’t stand it. I wish I could erase him from your life. I never knew what jealousy felt like until I saw you being kind to another man. When I heard you allowed him to stay over, I lost control. Every time you smiled at him, it felt like a knife in my chest. I just wanted you to be there for me, the way you used to be. I wanted to be the only one in your heart. But the days without you have been unbearable. I was wrong, Rachel. Please, come back to me.”
Brian rested his head against her shoulder, like a man completely lost in his own regret.
For the first time, his words were unguarded, spilling out with raw honesty.
Rachel couldn’t lie–his words stirred something deep inside her.
But she also knew that no matter what he said, their story had already reached its final chapter.
When she didn’t respond, Brian tightened his grip on her.
“I wasn’t with Tracy. I only took her upstairs, then I came straight to you. Rachel, it’s been so long–aren’t you done being angry? Please, don’t shut me out.”
Brian sounded almost childlike, his voice gentle, as if he was trying to win her over.
“I only held her to see how you’d react. I wanted you to get jealous, to care. You used to get upset over things like this. But now, you don’t even seem to mind.”
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Chapter 209 It’s Just Possessiveness
Rachel hadn’t expected him to say that.
When he was cold, she knew exactly how to push back.
But when he spoke so gently, she found herself at a loss for words.
Rachel stayed quiet.
Brian’s anxiety only grew.
“Say something!” He nudged her neck, desperate for a response.
Rachel turned to face him, her gaze clearer than before. “Maybe you’re right–maybe you are jealous. But Brian,
after all these years, you’re just used to having me by your side, always loving you. This isn’t love. It’s just
possessiveness. And that’s not what I want.”
She wanted something real–love. To be the one and only in his life. To be someone who couldn’t be replaced.
“Brian, let go. Let’s not drag this out any longer.”
This time, her voice held no anger, just quiet acceptance.
“I loved you so much, but some things just aren’t meant to be.”
“So, you’re really walking away from me?”
For once, Brian’s eyes were calm too.
“Yes.”
“You’re not afraid I’ll choose Tracy? That I’ll marry her?”
Even after all this time, hearing that still stung. But this time, she managed to smile. “Yes. I truly hope you’re happy.”
Brian kept pushing. “You’re not scared I’ll forget you? That I won’t even remember your face?”
Rachel’s fingers curled into her palm, but her smile never wavered.
“That’s okay. It’s only fair. You were never really mine anyway–you always had her on your mind. So maybe you forget about me.”
