Chapter 9 Why Didn’t You Say Anything
Rachel found Brian’s words unbelievable.
In his mind, was it all on her? And she was the unreasonable one?
“I’m exhausted. I just want to rest,” Rachel said, withdrawing her hand and making her
way upstairs.
After a shower, she had barely climbed into bed when she found herself enveloped in
warmth.
Brian had pulled her into his arms, holding her securely against him.
She resisted, twisting slightly, but the more she struggled, the firmer his grip became.
His breath fanned against her neck, his presence pressing in on her like an invisible
weight.
After several rounds of futile resistance, she was too drained to fight.
She shut her eyes, surrendering to exhaustion.
Fortunately, Brian seemed to have some sense and didn’t take things any further–just held her, unmoving.
Just as she hovered on the edge of sleep, she felt the faintest brush against her earlobe.
His voice, low and smooth, broke the silence. “About today… I’ll apologize on Tracy’s
behalf.”
The words sent a jolt through Rachel, stiffening every muscle in her body.
It was as if her heart had been plunged into ice water.
Cold. Numbing.
He was apologizing for Tracy? When had he ever been the type to lower himself for
someone else?
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Without turning to look at him, she let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Apologizing? As Tracy’s boyfriend? Or as my fiancé?”
Brian caught her hand, his tone steady. “Rachel, I just don’t want the two of you to be
enemies.”
“Is that so?” she said, her voice devoid of warmth.
She was too drained to argue, too tired to hear Tracy’s name one more time.
So, in the end, she simply let out a hollow chuckle and said, “Since you’re apologizing on her behalf, how could I possibly hold a grudge? Fine. I forgive her.”
But Brian wasn’t satisfied. “I don’t want you to just say it. I want you to genuinely find forgiveness in your heart.”
Rachel didn’t hesitate. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that’s not going to happen.”
His expression darkened instantly.
The tension in the room thickened, pressing down like an unseen force.
Rachel knew one thing for certain–on a night like this, sharing a bed with him was a
terrible idea.
She sat up and moved toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Brian’s voice was sharp.
“The guest room. I just want to get a proper night’s sleep.”
His brows furrowed. “You can’t spend one night beside me?”
Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back onto the bed. “You’re staying here. End of discussion.”
Rachel refused to comply.
She might not be as strong as him, but she wasn’t one to surrender without a fight. “Brian, let go of me!” She struggled against his grip, fury lacing her words. “You bastard! Forget it–I’d rather die than forgive Tracy Haynes!”
Her defiance only fueled his frustration.
Before she could break free, she found herself pinned beneath him.
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Chapter 9 Why Didn’t You Say Anything
His gaze darkened, his voice dangerously low. “What did you just call me?”
Rachel turned her face away, her heartbeat unsteady. “Nothing.”
Under the dim light, he studied her face.
He had always thought her softness, her quiet obedience, was what made her
endearing.
But now, seeing her like this–fierce, unyielding–he found himself captivated in a way he hadn’t expected.
“Rachel, I…” His voice was husky as he leaned in, his lips mere inches from hers.
Then suddenly–Rachel flinched, inhaling sharply.
“What’s wrong?” Brian was instantly alert.
“It’s nothing.”
His expression hardened. “Tell me the truth.”
She didn’t respond.
With a sharp click, the bedside lamp flickered on.
He seized her hand. “Why didn’t you say anything?” His voice was tight, his fingers tracing the red marks on her wrist. “When did this happen?”
Rachel turned away, her heart aching at the memory.
His gaze narrowed. “Was it from the coffee?”
She clenched her jaw before giving the faintest nod.
“Idiot,” he muttered under his breath.
Her head snapped up, eyes blazing. “What’s so idiotic about it?” She had already been
holding back so much, but that single word–so dismissive, so unfair–made something in her snap.
Tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks before she could stop them.
To him, she was just a foolish, naive woman. Meanwhile, Tracy was the one who was flawless in every way.
“Earlier today, I was standing right in front of you. Why didn’t you say anything?”
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Brian’s voice carried a thread of frustration.
“And what difference would it have made? So Ronald could buy me ointment too?”
She didn’t want anything that had been meant for Tracy.
- go. His fingers slackened around hers. A second later, he let
Without another word, he turned and walked out.
Rachel sat there, staring at the empty space he left behind, a dull ache spreading in her
chest.
So, he’d left again. Just like always.
Memories came flooding back–the early days of their relationship, when a junior had clung to Brian, her words honeyed and sweet.
He hadn’t pushed her away. He hadn’t acknowledged her either.
She had felt so wronged back then, tears spilling before she could stop them.
On top of it all, her stomach had twisted in pain from her period cramps.
And in the biting wind, Brian had walked away without a backward glance.
She had called after him, her voice shaking, but he never turned around.
Looking back, moments like those had happened too many times to count.
And tonight, it seemed history had repeated itself.
Rachel closed her eyes, resigning herself to another lonely night.
But the sudden creak of the opening door startled her.
Brian strode back in, a first–aid kit clutched in his hand.
“Give me your hand,” he commanded, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
Rachel gaped at him, disbelief clouding her features. “I thought you left.”
She had assumed he would leave as he had in the past.
“If I had, you’d be crying loud enough to wake our neighbors,” he said matter–of–factly.
For a moment, she simply stared. There was something undeniably striking about a man when he was focused, completely absorbed in something.
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Like now–his profile illuminated in the dim light, kneeling beside her, tending to her wound with quiet concentration.
He looked almost like a prince from a fairy tale, a fleeting illusion she wished she could
hold onto.
She let out a small breath.” leeting illusion she wished she could
A world without Tracy. A world
ointment.
without misunderstanding.
As Brian reached for the first–aid kit to
red when he finished applying the
gaze dropped to her ankle.
His expression shifted instantly as he reached out to
ex it.
She gasped at his touch, pain shooting through her leg. “Ouch! That hurts! Be gentler!”
Brian’s jaw tensed, his frustration simmering.
Without a word, he pulled his hand back, his sharp gaze turning cold. “Are you an idiot?”
She bit her lip. Her ankle throbbed, and now, being scolded on top of it only made her
feel even more miserable.
Her eyes reddened, her head dipping low, unwilling to meet his stare.
It wasn’t the pain that stung the most. It was the way he treated her.
When Tracy got hurt, he was patient, gentle, his voice soft.
But with her? There was no warmth. No concern. She had never expected him to console her, to offer kind words or comfort. But was it too much to ask that he didn’t
call her an idiot?
The emotions she had buried for so long finally spilled over. “Yes, I’m an idiot,” Rachel whispered, her voice trembling. “If I weren’t, I wouldn’t be this foolish–falling for you
so completely.”
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