Chapter 82 Brian’s Justification
Surprisingly, Rachel experienced no pain. It felt as if her fall had been softened by something below.
Using her hands to steady herself, she swiftly sat up.
Panic surged through her when she discovered Brian beneath her on the stairs, and she quickly assisted him.
“Brian, are you alright?”
Brian was silent, only nodding slightly as she helped him to a seated position on the
steps.
Around them, the crowd moved continuously, yet Rachel saw only Brian.
The silence from him and his deeply furrowed brow made her anxiety worsen.
Her voice quivered as she pleaded, “Please say something. Don’t leave me in suspense
like this.”
She gently shook his arm, growing more frantic as he remained mute.
Fear gripped Rachel, the possibility that he might have a serious head injury looming in
her mind.
She remembered stories of people who initially seemed unharmed after accidents but later faced grave consequences due to brain injuries, which only fueled her fear further.
She scrambled to find her phone and hastily dialed the hospital for emergency
assistance.
Right as the call was about to go through, a firm hand clasped hers. “I knew it, you still
care about me.”
“You’re alright?” Relief washed over her as she heard him speak.
“I’m okay. It’s a bit painful, but nothing serious.”
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Chapter 82 Brian’s Justification
Rachel, initially relieved, quickly became annoyed when she noticed the smirk on his face. She gave him a light punch on the chest. “Do you find this amusing? You have no idea how terrified I was. I thought you were seriously hurt, that you might even die!”
As she spoke, her initial fears began to creep back.
Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look even more vulnerable.
This sight deeply moved Brian. He couldn’t resist pulling her into a comforting embrace.
“Let me go!” Rachel protested, still upset, trying to pull away from him.
“No way I’m letting you go–not ever!”
“And who decided I’d spend forever with you?”
His grip on her waist firmed, and he asked with a hint of annoyance, “So, plan to spend your life with if not me?”
who do you
“A lifetime commitment should be with someone who genuinely loves me, not someone whose heart is occupied by someone else.” Rachel spoke firmly, and in response, Brian seized her wrist, placing her hand over his heart.
“What are you trying to prove?” she questioned, puzzled.
Brian touched his chest. “Feel this. It beats solely for a woman named Rachel Marsh.”
“I don’t want to hear it,” she replied, pulling her hand back. She believed the woman in his heart was always Tracy.
“If you refuse, then I’ll listen your heartbeats,” Brian replied, lowering his head to her chest with a cheeky smile, closing his eyes as though relishing the moment.
The footbridge was alive with foot traffic. Curious onlookers cast glances their way.
Overwhelmed by the attention, Rachel pleaded, “Brian, please stand up! We’re attracting stares.”
“Let them stare. It’s just me resting on my girlfriend’s lap. There’s nothing wrong with that,” he replied nonchalantly.
Frustrated, Rachel pulled at his ear and said, “Just stop it.”
His logic seemed completely ridiculous to her.
“I don’t mind.” Abruptly, he sat up, lightly tapping her chest with his fingers. “Only I
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Chapter 82 Brian’s Justification
will always belong here.”
Turning her head, Rachel refused to face him.
He was obviously still devoted to Tracy. Why, then, should she devote her heart exclusively to him? It simply wasn’t right.
“That will depend on your actions,” she said, then quickly got up and dashed away.
She had only made it to the far end of the footbridge when his long arm extended and grasped her.
Back against the railing, she was held firmly by his strong presence, his face just inches from hers.
At that moment, the wind blew with a peculiar softness.
Brian’s voice, as soft as the breeze, said, “Rachel, I’m sorry.”
“For what?” she inquired, looking into his eyes.
With earnest clarity, he replied, “The issue with Doris… it was mishandled by me. In my memories, she remained the little girl who once stood no taller than my waist and followed me around all day. Doris was taken in by my parents. Having lived together so
long, I truly came to view her as my little sister. As a child, she was my father’s favorite.
He found it difficult to ever punish her. Whenever I found myself in trouble, she would step in and shoulder the blame. This encouraged in me a deep responsibility to look out for her. Thus, when I found out she was being harassed, I felt an obligation to protect
her as her brother.”
Rachel listened intently, her face etched with contemplation. It was clear to her that Brian was oblivious to the real depth of Doris’s feelings toward him.
“Why don’t you say anything?” Brian playfully tapped her nose, his voice soft and
teasing.
“Could it be possible that Doris might…” She hesitated, the words seeming too harsh to speak out loud. She paused momentarily.
“What’s on your mind? Just say it.”
“It’s just that Doris appears to be quite attached to you.”
Brian responded with a soft chuckle and lightly tapped her nose. “It’s just like Jeffrey’s attachment to you.”
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Chapter 82 Brian’s Justification
Choosing not to explore the topic further, Rachel felt burdened by the truths she held
back.
His justification, however, resonated more deeply than any simple apology might have.
As a breeze fluttered by, Rachel gracefully swept a lock of hair from her face.
Her long hair, knotted by the wind, added to her effortless charm.
“Ouch.” she gasped, slightly annoyed as she attempted to disentangle. her hair.
After several unsuccessful tries, she couldn’t free it.
“What seems to be the issue?” he asked.
Lifting a tangled lock, Rachel said, “The wind’s too strong, and my hair has caught on your shirt button.”
“I’ll take care of it,” he replied.
Brian’s fingers, long and nimble, worked swiftly.
He managed to untangle most of her hair swiftly.
Yet, a few persistent knots remained tightly twisted around the button.
Rachel was visibly concerned; she had always valued her long hair greatly.
She had preserved every inch of her hair over the years, never cutting or coloring it, largely because Brian had once expressed his fondness for long hair.
Regardless of its style, she had never opted for a short cut.
Seeing their struggle, a vendor nearby chimed in, “Hey, need a pair of scissors?”
“Yes, please,” Brian answered, accepting and paying for the scissors offered by the
vendor.
He quickly made the cut before she could react.
“Wait…” Rachel’s voice trailed off as she realized it was already too late; he had finished cutting.
A wave of sadness washed over her, as she envisioned her long–cherished hair now
severed.
Yet, when she looked down, she saw only a white button entwined in the strands.
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Chapter 82 Brian’s Justification
His scissors had spared her hair, cutting through the button instead.
“Why would you do that?” Rachel was taken aback.
Holding her face gently in his hands, Brian spoke with soft, deliberate clarity. “I can replace a shirt any time. But your hair is too precious to cut.”
