Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 525:

Hearing her name, Rachel instantly rushed to her side, gripping Carol’s hand like she never wanted to let go. Her warmth was still there—still alive.

Watching the moment unfold, Debby’s face twisted with disdain. “Tsk. Some people sure know how to act like the perfect granddaughter-in-law. But besides putting on a show, what else can they really do?”

Aron shot Debby a sharp look. “Debby, that’s enough. Mom just regained consciousness—don’t stir up trouble now.”

Debby scoffed, folding her arms. “Trouble? I’m just stating facts. Or did I say something wrong?”

Her eyes flicked to Rachel, burning with resentment. “When Carol needed a blood transfusion, she flat-out refused to donate. And now that Carol’s awake, she’s here shedding tears like she’s the most caring person in the world. Does she really think a few crocodile tears will make her look good?”

Rachel pressed her lips together, the bitter sting of Debby’s words cutting deep. She’d grown used to her sharp tongue, but this time was different—she couldn’t defend herself.noveldrama

If she revealed the truth about her health, Debby would undoubtedly accuse her of playing the victim. And worse, it would only add more stress to Carol and Hector. So she forced herself to stay silent, swallowing the rising lump in her throat.

Suddenly, she felt a warm hand slip into hers. Startled, she glanced down—Brian was holding her hand firmly, his silent support radiating through his touch.

His voice cut through the tension. “Mom, that’s enough.”

His tone was steady, but there was a bite of authority in it. “Rachel never refused to donate out of selfishness. Her health has been poor lately, and her blood didn’t meet the medical requirements. If she had insisted on donating, it could’ve worsened Grandma’s condition instead of helping her.”

Debby’s mouth hung open, her face darkening with embarrassment. “I… I had no idea that was the reason…”

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 g𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧿𝖼𝗈𝗺

Her voice faltered as she scrambled to regain her footing. “But still… we can’t ignore the fact that Doris and you rushed over to donate. If not for you guys, Carol’s condition might’ve taken a turn for the worse.”

Brian met his mother’s gaze head-on, his voice firm. “Mom, you’re wrong about that. The person who deserves the most gratitude here is Rachel. If she hadn’t rushed Grandma to the hospital in time, we might have lost her.”

Debby’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flickering toward Brian, puzzled by his sudden strong defense of Rachel. What was with him today?

Carol chuckled softly, breaking the tension. “Then I owe you a huge thank-you, Rachel. Honestly, if not for you, I probably wouldn’t have lived to see another day.” Her tone was light, almost playful, but the sincerity in her eyes was unmistakable.

Rachel quickly shook her head, her voice filled with concern. “Please don’t say things like that, Carol. And there’s really no need to thank me at all.”

Carol smiled, her frail hand reaching for Rachel’s. “Alright, alright. I won’t say it again. I wouldn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

Later that afternoon, Carol insisted on sending everyone else home, leaving only Hector, Brian, and Rachel behind.

After dinner, Carol’s demeanor shifted, her gaze suddenly serious as she looked between Brian and Rachel.

“Brian, Rachel. I have a favor to ask of you both,” she began, her voice soft but resolute.

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