Chapter 52 His Gentleness (Part Two)
As the fireworks painted their final bursts of light across the sky, Brian turned to Rachel, his face inches from hers. The glow of the fading colors reflected in his eyes, softening his usually sharp features. His low and tender voice carried a hint of vulnerability as he spoke. “Rachel,” he began, his words careful and deliberate, “if seeing this makes you happy… does it mean you’ll forgive me?”
Brian’s words cut through Rachel, stirring something deep within her. Before she could understand it, the tears began to fall, flowing freely down her cheeks, relentless and unbidden. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause of her sorrow, only that the emotions she had kept buried for so long were now breaking through, flooding her with a wave of vulnerability she couldn’t control.
“Why are you crying?” Brian’s voice cracked, the calmness he usually wore slipping away for the first time. He looked at her helplessly as though he had no idea how to console her. His hands trembled slightly as they reached for her face, wiping her tears with a clumsy and sincere touch.
But the more he tried to ease her distress, the more her tears flowed, as if they couldn’t be contained by his efforts alone.
Her swollen and red eyes locked with his, filled with a mixture of accusation and quiet sorrow. Her silence spoke louder than words, making his chest tighten.
Brian’s hands were gentle as they cradled her tear–streaked face, his thumb tenderly sweeping away the remnants of her sorrow. Each touch was filled with aching care as if he sought to undo the hurt he had unknowingly caused. His lips brushed her skin,, soft and reverent; each kiss was a silent plea for her pain to fade. “Please don’t cry,” he murmured, his voice low and thick with emotion. “Tell me what’s wrong. I want to make it right.”
Rachel took a few moments to regain her composure, her sobs gradually subsiding into quiet, labored breaths. Her voice was still fragile when she spoke again, each word infused with a rawness that tugged at his heart. “Do you really want to hear the truth?” she asked, her emotions hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
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Chapter 52 His Gentleness (Part Two)
Brian nodded, his expression earnest. “Yes. I need to know.”
She turned her eyes downward, her thoughts tangled in a quiet storm. After a prolonged silence, she finally spoke, her voice trembling with the weight of unspoken emotions. “I think this is the first time you’ve been patient with me when I’m upset,” she said, each word heavier than the last. “Before, you always walked away, leaving me to face everything alone.”
Rachel’s words hit Brian hard, like a cold wave crashing over him. His hands faltered, and he couldn’t find the right words to respond immediately. He hadn’t realized how deeply his past actions had affected her until now. The realization hit him like a sharp blow, and guilt gnawed at him in a way that left him speechless.
He didn’t know how to respond, but he knew one thing, he had taken Rachel for granted, leaving her to face her emotional turmoil alone when she needed him most. And now, as much as he wanted to make things right, he understood that words alone could never undo the damage.
Rachel pulled away slightly, her hand gripping his collar with a firmness that startled him. Once filled with sorrow, her eyes were now fixed on him, a storm of anger and determination brewing within them. “Brian,” she began, her voice steady but tinged with a quiet strength. “Don’t forget. I’ve cried so many tears for you. If there ever comes a day when I can’t cry for you anymore, it means I no longer want you in my life. And when that day comes, you will have truly lost me.”
Rachel’s words hit Brian like a blow to the gut, the pain so sharp and raw it left him
breathless. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her, of her heart turning cold toward
him.
When Rachel finally drifted into a peaceful slumber, Brian watched over her with quiet, unwavering certainty. He gently kissed her forehead, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke with calm conviction, “Now that you’re about to marry me, we’re destined to be together forever.”
The next morning, Rachel woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains. She glanced at the clock and was surprised to see it was nearly noon. Brian was already gone, the space beside her cool and empty. She stretched lazily, the previous night’s events still
fresh in her mind.
After a quick lunch, Rachel’s phone buzzed with a call from Brian. “Did you sleep well?” His voice was warm, familiar, and comforting.
“Yes, I did,” she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.
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Chapter 52 His Gentleness (Part Two)
“Good,” he said. “You should rest, or if you feel like it, go out for a little shopping. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Sounds good.”
After hanging up, Rachel decided to call Yvonne. It had been too long since they’d met, and she was eager to catch up.
Yvonne answered on the second ring, her voice tinged with surprise. “Wait, you’re back? When did that happen?”
“Last night,” Rachel replied with a small smile. “It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in when we
meet.”
“Alright,” Yvonne replied, curiosity piqued. “I’ll see you soon.”
Half an hour later, Rachel met Yvonne at their usual café. The warm aroma of coffee
filled the air, but Rachel’s attention was immediately drawn to her friend. It had been some time since they’d last caught up, and she couldn’t help but notice how much thinner Yvonne appeared.
“Yvonne, you’ve lost weight. Are you feeling okay?” Rachel said, concern slipping into
her tone.
Yvonne gave a small, tired smile. She had always been naturally slender, but now there was a frailty about her that Rachel hadn’t seen before.
Despite her concern, Rachel couldn’t help but feel a flicker of envy. Yvonne had that rare ability to slim down in all the right places, her curves still perfectly intact, while Rachel often struggled with her figure.
Yvonne gave a weary sigh, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Don’t even get me started,” she muttered, her voice heavy with frustration. “Norton’s been making my life
a living hell lately.”
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