?Chapter 510:


    Minutes passed, but the fit wouldn’t stop. The pain in her chest intensified with every breath, a suffocating weight pressing against her ribs. She could feel her body trembling slightly as she struggled to catch her breath, her chest tight and raw.


    “Why are you coughing so much? Are youing down with something?” Brian’s voice cut through the darkness,ced with concern. Before Rachel could respond, the bedsidemp flickered on, casting a warm light that revealed Brian’s face, etched with worry. He reached for a ss of water and handed it to her.


    “Here, drink this. It’ll help.”


    Rachel epted the ss, taking slow, careful sips. The cool water soothed her throat, and for a moment, the tension in her chest eased.


    “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice soft but sincere.


    Brian’s voice, tinged with frustration, broke the silence.


    “Rachel, you don’t need to be so formal with me.”


    Rachel had thanked him so many times that day, as if she felt obligated to acknowledge every little thing he did. The repetitive gratitude, which seemed to hang between them like a barrier, grated on him.


    “Rachel,” Brian said, reaching for her hand. His touch was gentle, but firm. “I need you to understand something. Even though we’re no longer together, you’re still…”


    “Someone my grandma cares deeply for. And after everything we’ve been through, it’s only natural for me to look after you.”


    Rachel’s gaze shifted, her expression quiet but resolute.


    “Have you ever heard this saying?” she asked, her tone even but firm.


    “What saying?” Brian responded, sensing the shift in her words.


    “A good ex should be out of sight, out of mind,” Rachel replied, her voice clear and unwavering.


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    At that, Brian’s face tightened, his expression shifting abruptly at the weight of her words.


    “Since we’ve ended things, it’s better to make a clean break,” Rachel continued, her voice calm but firm. “Now that you’ve chosen Tracy, there’s no reason for us to stay entangled. The only reason I stepped in today was to keep Carol from being upset, nothing more.”


    Brian’s eyes, dark and intense, met hers as he asked, his voice calm yet carrying a weight,


    “Have you finished? May I speak now?”


    Rachel nodded, her voice soft but steady.


    “Go ahead.”


    Brian didn’t waste time, his next words cutting through the silence with an edge of curiosity.


    “Who told you I’m with Tracy?”


    Rachel froze, the air between them suddenly feeling heavy. So, he wasn’t with Tracy after all? But the confusion only deepened. Tracy and Brian had always seemed… closer than friends. She struggled to find the right words.


    “But… you two…” She trailed off, unsure of how to continue.


    Brian leaned forward slightly, his expression steady but firm.


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