Chapter 25 An Unexpected
Guest
Carol couldn’t help but smile to herself when she noticed Rachel speaking up for Brian.
She turned to him and said, “See that? Your fiancée really cares about you. You’d better treat her right, Brian. A man who doesn’t cherish his wife will only end up regretting it.”
Brian, standing off to the side, nodded repeatedly without a word.
The conversation continued for a while, and before long, it was time for dinner.
With his grandfather and father absent due to other commitments, only four sat at the
table.
Yet, five sets of utensils had been placed.
Just as they were about to begin their meal, Debby suddenly spoke up. “Hold on a
moment–we have another guest joining us.”
The moment she finished, a crisp, pleasant voice filled the room. “Carol, Debby, I’m so
sorry I’m late!”
Tracy walked into the living room, arms full of gift boxes, her smile bright and cheerful.
“You’re not late. You arrived just in time,” Debby responded warmly, stepping forward and taking Tracy’s hand with an eagerness that resembled a mother welcoming her
own daughter.
Carol hesitated, then turned to a servant to get her reading glasses. Once she put them on and took a closer look, recognition flickered across her face.
“Oh! Tracy! When did you get back?”
Tracy immediately stepped closer, her smile dazzling. “I’ve been back for a little while. I’m so sorry for not visiting you and Debby sooner–work has been keeping me busy.”
“You young ones are always caught up in your careers. That’s understandable. By the
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way,
did you return with your husband this time?” asked Carol.
Tracy’s expression stiffened for a brief moment.
Before she could find the right words to respond, Brian stepped in at just the right moment. “Grandma, let’s eat first.”
“Oh, alright. We can talk over dinner.”
Throughout the meal, Tracy animatedly shared stories about her experiences abroad, which Carol listened to with great interest.
Even so, Carol’s attention frequently shifted back to Rachel. As she continued placing food on Rachel’s plate, she remarked, “Rachel, you’ve been looking exhausted lately. You’ve lost quite a bit of weight. Brian, you’re really not doing your job as a fiancé. How exactly are you taking care of her? If she gets any thinner the next time I see her, I’ll have to have a word with you.”
Tracy sat in silence, her fists clenching beneath the table.
She had tried so hard to earn Carol’s favor, yet even now, Carol’s heart and attention
remained with Rachel.
After dinner, Tracy lingered in the living room, chatting with Debby.
It wasn’t until ten o’clock that she finally rose to her feet. “Debby, it’s getting late. I
should head home now.”
Debby immediately waved a hand to stop her. “It’s already so late. Let Brian drive you
back.”
Brian naturally grabbed his car keys. “Let’s go.”
Rachel watched them walk away together, unable to find her voice.
Just as she turned to head upstairs, Debby’s sharp, cutting voice sliced through the air. “Rachel, I don’t need to spell it out for you to understand Tracy’s place in Brian’s life. All these years, the person he’s cared about most has always been her. Honestly, if you walk away now, it’ll be easier on everyone. If you wait until he dumps you, it’ll only be more humiliating.”
Rachel kept her emotions in check and met Debby’s gaze with calm indifference. “I
understand.”
If that day ever came, she wouldn’t beg him to stay.
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“It’s late. I’m feeling a bit tired. I’ll head upstairs to rest now.” With that, Rachel turned
and walked toward her room.
Debby watched her retreating figure, her face dark with irritation.
“She’s just riding on Carol’s favoritism. One day, I’ll make sure she’s out of here for
good.”
Rachel took a long shower before settling into bed, but no matter how she shifted under the covers, sleep refused to come.
An hour had passed since Brian left to take Tracy home, yet he still hadn’t returned.
She had called him once in that time, but instead of Brian, it was Tracy who answered.
“Rachel, Brian might be back a little late. My stomach wasn’t feeling well, so he went to
get me some medicine.”
Rachel said nothing and quietly ended the call.
That night, Brian never came home.
The next morning, with Debby nowhere in sight, Rachel had breakfast with Carol.
Not seeing Brian, Carol naturally asked, “Where’s Brian?”
Rachel instinctively responded, “There was an urgent matter at the company, so he
went back to handle it.”
As they ate, Carol casually brought up Tracy.
“Rachel, back when Brian was younger, he did have feelings for Tracy for a time. I never thought they were a good match. Then Tracy went abroad, got married, and Brian met you. I believe this is just how fate works. Don’t worry. To me, you’re the only granddaughter–in–law I acknowledge.”
Rachel was so touched that for a moment, words escaped her.
Carol truly treated her like she was family.
After leaving the house, Rachel headed straight to the hospital.
Jeffrey’s recovery was going better than expected–he was already up and walking
around.
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“Rachel!” The moment he saw her, his whole face lit up with excitement.
“Did you have breakfast?”
“Yes, and I–I saw Brian.”
Rachel stiffened.
Jeffrey wasn’t the most outspoken person, but he had seen Brian enough times to know
he wouldn’t mistake him for someone else.
“Where did you see him?”
“Here. With a pretty lady.”
Rachel’s mind immediately went to Tracy.
So that was why Brian never came home last night–he had been here, with Tracy again. As expected, whenever Tracy was involved, all of Brian’s rationality and principles seemed to disappear.
“Jeffrey, I need to make a quick call.”
In the hallway, Rachel hesitated for a long time before finally dialing Brian’s number.
He answered almost immediately. “Rachel, Tracy had a sudden bout of gastritis last night, so I brought her to the hospital.”
“I see.”
“Are you at the office?” he asked, picking up on the coldness in her tone and trying to keep the conversation going.
“Not yet. Are you?”
Before Brian could respond, Tracy’s voice drifted through the line. “Brian, I’d like some
water.”
“Alright, I’ll bring it right over,” he said.
Then, turning back to Rachel, he added, “She’s alone right now. I need to take care of her. I’ll talk to you later.”
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“Bye.”
Rachel ended the call and let out a slow, deep breath.
She couldn’t even put her emotions into words.
It felt like her heart had been submerged in water, the temperature rising degree by degree. The heat grew more unbearable and the pain grew overwhelming.
She should have known. Between her and Tracy, Brian would always choose Tracy.
His kindness toward her only existed when Tracy wasn’t in the picture. The moment Tracy appeared, she became nothing.
When Rachel stepped back into Jeffrey’s ward, he immediately noticed something was
off. “Am I making things hard for you?”
“Why would you say that?” Rachel looked at him, her chest tightening.
“You’ve seemed so unhappy these past few days. Is it because of me?”
Rachel wrapped her arms around him, gently running her fingers through his hair. “Having you with me is my greatest joy.”
“Then why are you sad?”
Rachel stayed quiet for a long time before finally whispering, “Because I feel painful
inside.”
