?Chapter 26:


    “Did you take any medicine?” Jeffrey asked innocently.


    Without a word, Rachel responded by affectionately patting his head.


    Jeffrey didn’t realize that some pain couldn’t be healed by pills, especially when it came to matters of the heart.


    “You need to take your medicine just like I do. It’s important,” he urged earnestly.


    Rachel smiled and nodded enthusiastically. “You’re absolutely right. You set a great example!”


    Exiting the hospital, Rachel encountered Tracy.


    Dressed in a hospital gown, Tracy appeared frail, yet her flushed cheeks suggested she was less ill than she appeared.


    “Hold on,” Tracy called out to her.


    “Is there anything I can do for you?” Rachel asked.


    “We have to talk,” Tracy said bluntly.


    “And what if I’m not interested?”


    “You’ll want to hear this, I’m sure. You’re probably more eager than anyone to learn about Brian’s feelings towards me,” Tracy retorted, striking a nerve. They settled into seats at the hospital café.


    “Rachel, correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Brian propose to you on Christmas?”


    Reluctantly, Rachel acknowledged the fact. “Yes, that’s right.”


    “Do you realize the significance of that date?” Tracy asked with a smug air, then continued, “It’s my birthday. And it was also the day I got married to my ex-husband. I even shared our wedding on social media that day.”


    Feel inspired by ga  ln o vels .


    As Rachel absorbed the words, herplexion drained slowly.


    She refused to ept what she heard.


    But the harsh truth stung sharply, forcing her to face it.


    Tracy’s grin grew broader. “You see, Brian’s proposal was merely a vindictive move against me. Face it, Rachel. He doesn’t truly love you. He’s merely burdened by guilt. Had I not been married then, his proposal would never have happened.”


    Her words sliced through Rachel, each one a precise strike that left her reeling in silent agony. In that moment, she felt utterly defeated, stripped of her power to respond.


    What a cruel twist of fate.


    The proposal she had cherished turned out to be nothing more than an act to spite another woman.


    How ironic.


    “Rachel, just let him go. He’ll naturally drift back to my side.”


    Rachel managed a scornfulugh. “If you’re so sure, why even bother with me?”


    “I could easily pull him back to my side, but I thought I’d offer you a graceful way out,” Tracy said.


    Rachel was shocked by such an obvious excuse for trying to steal someone else’s fiancé.


    “Yourck of shame is astonishing.”


    Tracy merelyughed off the insult. “You can say whatever you like.”


    Looking up, Rachel noticed Brian approaching.


    Tracy’s smile returned instantly. “Let’s put it to a test, shall we?”


    “Test what exactly?”


    As Tracy passed her coffee to Rachel, the cup was abruptly jostled, spilling the hot coffee across her hand.


    “You…” Rachel started, but her words were cut short as a tall figure intervened.


    “What’s going on? You need to be more careful. Let me have a look,” Brian eximed as he examined Tracy’s hand, his voiceden with a level of concern that Rachel had never witnessed directed at herself.


    Rachel knew she was defeated.


    “It’s okay, Brian. The coffee was just warm, really. No need to make a big deal,” Tracy said gently.


    “Okay, just making sure you’re…” Brian started to say but stopped mid-sentence, visibly startled as he finally noticed Rachel. “Rachel, what are you doing here?”


    Rachel couldn’t help but find the situation somewhat humorous.


    He had instantly noticed Tracy, but he seemed only just to have seen her.


    “I came to visit Jeffrey in the hospital and just ran into her by chance,” Rachel exined.


    “Is Jeffrey okay?”


    “He’s getting better.” Rachel didn’t want to say more, eager to end the conversation and leave.


    “Your secretary still isn’t fully well; perhaps focus on her needs. I’m leaving now,” Rachel said, moving to leave.


    “Hold on.” Brian caught her arm. “Why don’t we leave together?”


    “Sure.”


    Before leaving, she overheard Brian advising Tracy, “Remember to follow what the doctor said and stick to light meals for a while.”


    He then added, looking at the table, “And cut out coffee or any other stimnts.”


    “Sure,” Tracy responded, her voice dripping with sweetness.


    Rachel and Brian then climbed into the car together. The atmosphere inside was oppressively silent.


    Midway through the journey, Brian broke the silence. “Rachel, can we talk?”


    “Talk about what?”


    “I wasn’t homest night. I know it bothered you. Given Tracy’s poor health and my role as her only friend, I felt obligated to be there. If you’re upset, I understand if you direct it at me.”


    Was he suggesting she take her frustrations out on him? It took Rachel a moment to grasp the implication of his words. Did he really believe she had intentionally confronted Tracy?


    “Do you actually think that lowly of me?”


    The man sitting beside her suddenly seemed like someone she didn’t recognize.


    “I’m willing to move past this, but I expect you to consider your actions more carefully in the future,” Brian said, his voice resolute.


    As they neared thepany, Rachel made a request. “Ronald, could you stop the car, please?”


    Ronald, caught in a moment of indecision, awaited a directive until Brian sternly said, “Stop, and let her out.”


    The moment Rachel exited, the car hastily drove off.


    Later that night, Rachel stayed at work untilte, not returning home until ten.


    The bedroom was empty, shrouded in darkness and eerily silent.


    Flicking on the light, she allowed herself a quiet smile.


    She had nned to workte, unsure of how to confront Brian that evening. However, it appeared there was no need for avoidance; he hadn’t returned home.


    In the middle of the night, Rachel was awakened by pain.


    Lately, Rachel had been gued by sudden, sharp pains that sometimes escted to almost intolerable levels.


    Following such a restless night, it was only natural that she felt out of sorts the next morning.


    Thankfully, a bit of makeup helped her appear moreposed.


    Come Monday morning, she readied her reports and made her way to the top floor.


    Entering the office, she overheard snippets of conversation among the secretaries.


    “Did you notice? Tracy and Mr. White arrived together this morning.”


    “They seemed quite close, walking side by side!”


    “There’s talk that he has a girlfriend, though he’s kept it under wraps. Could Tracy be the one?”


    A voice chimed in confidently, “It’s pretty clear, isn’t it? She became his secretary as soon as she got here. Who else could it be?”


    Rachel typically paid no mind to rumors.


    However, this time, the chatter struck a chord.


    Her performance during the meeting was unusually poor, marked by ring errors.


    As the meeting concluded, Brian’s tone was cold. “The rest of you may leave. Rachel Marsh, you need to stay.”


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