Chapter 38 I Can’t Hold You
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Rachel silently continued eating, not pressing Brian further.
Her appetite waned after just a few more bites.
The gap between them was clear and always there.
He was born into wealth, raised in luxury, and always had the very best of everything.
As a result, he was naturally elegant and refined, carrying an air of aristocracy in every
move.
Rachel, however, was the neglected, uncherished daughter of her family.
Had she not loved him so deeply, she might have spared herself the ordeal of maintaining such an elaborate charade.
Her affection for him led her to suppress her own tastes.
Disliking what he disliked and forcing herself to appreciate what he favored became
her routine.
Gradually, she began to lose touch with her own tastes.
“Didn’t I see you enjoying your meal earlier?” asked Brian, scrutinizing her closely.
“It’s more about the shared experience than the food itself,” Rachel responded.
Brian’s attention shifted to the barely touched soup.
After several moments of indecision, he tentatively picked up the spoon and tasted it
again.
Looking at her, he said, “Please, gave whatever you like. I can share everything with you.”
Rachel’s reaction was one of sheer astonishment.
She looked at him, utterly speechless.
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Chapter 381 Cant Hold You Back
Was it the barbecue’s heat, or were her eyes simply too misty? Suddenly, she felt a warmth rush over her, her eyes brimming with tears.
Brian was actually sharing food with her.
For the first time in their long relationship, she perceived a change in him, a willingness to adjust for her sake.
Was it possible that his usual coldness hid a quiet affection for her? Deep down, did he hold a small, yet significant, tenderness towards her?
Rachel lowered her head and took a big bite of her food.
As she chewed, a warm, sweet sensation enveloped her heart, as though it were cloaked in honey.
At that moment, even the simplest foods seemed delightful.
A sense of joy swelled inside her.
“Rachel, can you see it? Brian isn’t always cold; he has some warmth. Don’t lose hope! One day, he’ll recognize your value and love you. Even if it’s delayed or gradual, I’m prepared to wait,” she muttered to herself inwardly.
After dinner, Rachel went to lie down while Brian got back to work.
In the silence of the hospital room, soft music played. Rachel planned to stay awake for him but drifted off unintentionally.
She woke up to the warmth of a familiar embrace, gently lifting her.
Barely awake, she rubbed her eyes. “How did I end up asleep? I intended to wait up for you. Are you done with your work?”
Her arms naturally found their way around his neck.
“Yes.”
“Are you heading back to rest now?” Rachel inquired.
Brian surveyed the room of the hospital. “No, I’m not going back.”
“Then where do you plan to sleep? Do you want me to ask Ronald to book a hotel room for you?”
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Chapter 381 Can’t Hold You Back
With a chuckle, Brian’s voice filled the room, rich and captivating.
He stretched out, drawing her close into his embrace. “We’ll share the bed!”
“Share the bed?” Rachel’s voice faltered. “In a hospital room?”
“What does it matter that it’s a hospital room?” Brian gazed down at her with a mischievous look. “Staying here next to you, sharing a bed, it’s all quite normal, right?
Unless…”
He suddenly moved closer, his breath warm against her ear. “Are you thinking of something more intimate?”
Blushing deeply, Rachel quickly refuted his teasing. “Absolutely not! Stop saying such things!”
“Then let’s go to sleep.”
“Alright,” Rachel responded, closing her eyes.
Even though she had agreed, the sound of his heartbeat and his steady breathing made it difficult for her to fall asleep.
Unable to resist, she finally gave in to her curiosity.
She tapped him lightly on the chest. “Are you asleep?”
“What is it?” His eyes remained closed.
“You haven’t even showered yet, have you?” She deliberately found an excuse.
As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back.
A sly grin appeared on Brian’s face as he slightly opened his eyes, fixing her with a piercing stare.
“If your thoughts were so pure, then why the sudden push for me to take a shower? Could it be that you want to peek at my body?”
Rachel was taken back.
Now, she really couldn’t explain herself. “That’s not what I meant.”
Deciding to drop the subject, she stopped trying to clarify.
The more she tried to explain, the more confusing everything became.
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Chapter 38 I Can’t Hold You Back
Eventually, fatigue began to claim her, and she listened to his heartbeat, letting it lull her to sleep, until the persistent ringing of his phone shattered the silence.
Rachel, being a light sleeper, woke up immediately.
The call was from Tracy.
Brian, without hesitation, answered the call.
Tracy’s voice, tinged with urgency, filled the room. “Brian, I hate to trouble you at this hour. I’m alone at a concert and it started raining heavily. My car just broke down on my way back.”
Brian’s hand clenched around the phone.
In a moment, he softly shifted Rachel aside and stood up.
“Where are you right now?” he asked, his tone fraught with concern.
“I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong, but I can’t seem to identify the problem. Can you send Ronald to help?” Though Tracy didn’t ask directly for Brian, her tone suggested she hoped he would come.
“Text me where you are.”
Brian ended the call, grabbed his coat, and got ready to head out.
A gentle touch caught him by surprise–a delicate hand holding him back.
Turning, he saw Rachel’s eyes brimming with tears, her gaze locked on him.
Her voice trembled slightly. “You can’t bear to leave her alone, can you?”
The quiet understanding in his eyes gave her the answer she feared.
She asked again, “She mentioned Ronald could handle it. Brian, isn’t it possible for you
to stay?”
He faced her silently.
Breaking the silence, he explained, “Rachel, she gets scared easily, especially in this kind of weather. Ronald might fix the car, but it’s my presence that will calm her.
She’ll be more comfortable with me there.”
His voice carried a tenderness that spoke volumes of his concern for another.
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Chapter 38 I Can’t Hold You Back
Rachel lowered her gaze, afraid to meet his eyes.
She feared her tears might betray her.
The illusion of a moment before seemed shattered by the harsh reality now before her.
“Go then. I realize I can’t hold you back,” Rachel said, gently releasing his hand.
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