Chapter 58 You’re Not
Alone
Brian was completely stunned.
He had spent years together with Rachel, yet only now did he grasp just how little he actually knew about her.
To him, she had always been a part of the Marsh family. Even if she wasn’t the most cherished, he thought, she should have at least led a life without struggles.
The Marsh family was undeniably wealthy, after all. Her life might not have been as glamorous as those high–society debutantes, but it should have been far more comfortable than that of an ordinary person.
But at this moment, Brian saw just how mistaken he was. Her childhood was far more
painful than he had ever imagined.
Looking at the bustling crowd, Rachel suddenly went quiet.
“Will you tell me more about your childhood? I want to know about it,” Brian asked softly, wrapping his hand around hers in a firm, reassuring grip.
In that small gesture, he was offering her silent strength.
“Alright.” That one word took all of Rachel’s strength to say.
It meant digging up old wounds–memories of a childhood filled with pain, loneliness, and cruelty.
“My mom died while giving birth to me and my twin brother. After that, my dad remarried, and that’s when Moira came into our lives. Later, she had Kate. From that moment on, my brother and I were no longer important. Even though we were still part of the Marsh family, we were treated worse than a stray dog. Moira fit every cruel stepmother stereotype. When I was young, she and my father constantly argued, and each time, she would unleash her fury on me.”
Rachel’s voice faltered, and her eyes burned with unshed tears.
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Chapter 58 You’re Not Alone
“She used to whip me with leather straps, smack me with wooden rulers, and even pour boiling water over me. My body was a map of bruises and scars.” Back then, Jeffrey was still healthy. Since he was the only boy, our grandma protected him, so Moira didn’t dare lay a hand on him. Instead, she took out all her anger on me. I was beaten so badly, my skin was bruised and raw. Eventually, my brother couldn’t stand it any longer and told our father. The marks on my back were undeniable proof. My father and Moira had an explosive argument.”
After a brief pause, Rachel continued, “After that, Moira got smarter. She no longer left visible marks but found other ways to make me suffer.
She made me bathe in ice–cold water during winter, cut off my allowance, and barely
gave me enough warm clothes to survive the cold. At that time, even a little pocket money felt like a luxury. This street was always crowded and full of life, but I could
never buy anything.
Everything I wanted was too expensive. No matter how much I longed for them, all I could do was stand there and watch. I walked this street so many times, carefully counting every coin, until I realized–the tacos here were the only thing I could afford to quiet my hunger.”
When Rachel finished talking, she felt a surprising sense of relief.
Turned out, time really did help heal wounds. Remembering those moments still left a dull ache in her heart, but it wasn’t as painful as before. Now, she could even talk about it without breaking down.
Brian’s deep, somber eyes stayed locked on her, filled with an unmistakable sorrow. How could she speak of such a painful past as if it were nothing?
“Do you hate her?” he asked, his voice quiet yet firm.
Rachel gave a firm nod. “Of course, I hate her. How could I not? My life was a nightmare because of her. But now, I’m trying to let go, to find peace. As long as she stays far away and never interferes with my life again, I’ll move on. But if she ever dares to hurt Jeffrey or me again, I won’t hold back.”
Brian met her tearful gaze, his voice steady and unwavering. “From now on, you’re not alone. I won’t let her lay a hand on you.”
A faint smile tugged at Rachel’s lips. She could feel the sincerity in his words.
But deep down, she knew life was unpredictable, and no one could truly foresee what lay ahead.
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Chapter 58 You’re Not Alone
A soft breeze drifted by, brushing a loose strand of hair from Rachel’s face.
The rain had stopped, and under the neon glow, her features looked serene and radiant.
“Wait here for a moment,” Brian said abruptly.
Before Rachel could react, he was already heading toward the tacos stall.
With a quick glance at the ingredients, he stated, “Give me your best taco.”
“Sir, would you like some ground beef with that?” the vendor offered.
Brian gave a nod, but as he watched the vendor add the beef, his expression soured.
That portion was so small.
“That’s barely anything. Use all the ground beef you’ve got,” he ordered.
The vendor hesitated. He was ready to protest, but Brian cut him off with a dismissive wave. “Forget it. We won’t be buying after all.”
With a simple gesture, Ronald stepped forward and handed the vendor a hundred.
It was only fair–they had taken up space and interrupted his business for quite some
time.
Brian, always the gentleman, insisted on paying.
Before Rachel could make sense of it all, Brian suddenly took her hand and pulled her up so swiftly that she nearly lost her balance. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, completely confused.
Brian didn’t respond. Instead, he held onto her firmly and strode forward, guiding her through the crowded street.
The city buzzed with energy, yet somehow, the crowd seemed to sense something special, effortlessly making way for them.
Under the glow of streetlights, Brian’s long coat swept behind him as he held onto her hand. Her hair flowed like silk in the wind, the two of them moving in perfect sync.
The lingering scent of rain filled the air, making everything feel sharper, more alive. The sight of a handsome man and a beautiful woman rushing through the night felt almost cinematic–something out of a dream.
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Chapter 58 You’re Not Alone
They had no idea how far they had gone.
Finally, at the end of a quieter street, Brian stopped.
Without a word, he wrapped his arms around Rachel, holding her tightly, as if anchoring himself in her warmth.
Moments later, Ronald’s car arrived, and they got in.
Once they reached home, Rachel opened her mouth to speak, but Brian spoke first. “Be good. I know you’re hungry. Have some snacks for now–dinner will be ready soon.”
Rachel raised a brow. “Did you order takeout?” She figured he avoided street food due
to hygiene concerns.
Brian didn’t confirm or deny it.
“I’m not really in the mood for snacks,” Rachel muttered, stretching. “If it’s going to take a while, I’d rather nap. I’m a little tired.”
“Alright.” Before she could react, he bent down and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
Her eyes widened. “Put me down! I can walk on my own.”
“But I want to carry you.” His tone was light, as if this was the most natural thing to do.
The bedroom wasn’t far, but the spiral staircase made the journey a little more
demanding.
The winding staircase stretched before them, and halfway up, Brian came to an abrupt
stop.
He glanced down at the woman in his arms, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “Uh–oh, I might not make it… I think I’m losing strength. How about a little motivation?”
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