Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 444:

When Rachel opened her eyes again, she lifted her head from Andres’s shoulder.

“It’s all in the past now.”

Then, glancing up at him, she offered a small nod. “Thank you. For everything tonight.”

Andres studied her for a long moment before simply nodding. “It’s late. Let’s head back.”

“Alright.”

When they reached the door to her room, Rachel turned to bid him goodnight.

But before she could step inside, a familiar figure appeared from the shadows—Brian.

The sight of him sent an instinctive jolt through her, her body tensing, her fingers tightening on the doorknob. Her first thought was to retreat, to slip inside, close the door, and shut him out completely.

But Brian moved quickly, catching her wrist before she could escape.

“I know you don’t want to see me,” he said, his voice edged with urgency. “I just need to say a few words. That’s all. After that, I promise I won’t bother you again.”

Rachel studied him, searching for insincerity in his face. But there was none. Still, her voice remained cool. “Go ahead.”

Brian exhaled slowly, as if bracing himself. “Earlier… at the pool… I didn’t know you had fallen in too.”

Rachel let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “And?”

His brows furrowed, his tone growing solemn. “If I had known… I wouldn’t have left you behind. I swear, Rachel, I would never—”

She cut him off, her voice like ice. “Maybe you’re right,” she said. “Maybe you would’ve saved me. After all, I’ve been by your side for so many years. Even a dog raised that long would inspire some loyalty.”

“Attachment, wouldn’t it? How could you just let it drown?”

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“But in the end,” she continued, her words slow and deliberate, “your first instinct will always be Tracy. Always. Only after ensuring her safety would you even think to look for me—whether I lived or died.”

This time, she didn’t phrase it as a question. Because it wasn’t one. It was the truth.

Brian’s voice trembled with remorse. “I’m sorry, Rachel. After all these years, I’ve failed you.”

A bitter, self-deprecating laugh escaped Rachel’s lips.

She couldn’t bear to look at him anymore.

Pushing open the door, she stepped inside, her weary body sliding down against the wooden surface, collapsing like a marionette with severed strings. The weight of his betrayal crushed her spirit.

She hadn’t anticipated his complete lack of explanation.

Even a fabricated story would have been preferable to this deafening silence.

It was painfully obvious how completely Brian was consumed by Tracy.

Another message from Brian buzzed on her phone. “Don’t worry, I won’t contact you except for work-related matters.”

Rachel dismissed the message without a second glance, her resolve hardening.

The next day, she messaged Natalia and headed to the train station. As the train prepared to depart, someone hurriedly slipped into the seat beside her.

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