Chapter 3 Boundless Affection From Carol

Brian gave a slight nod. "Go ahead."

Rachel drew in a deep breath, steadying herself. "If, after two years, you're still unwilling to acknowledge our relationship, I'll walk away without a fuss. All I ask is that you don't stand in my way when I choose to leave you." Her voice wavered, each word feeling like a thorn lodged in her throat.

"Alright. I agree."

Yet, even as the words left his lips, an unsettling feeling crept into his chest-a quiet, formless panic, like a storm brewing on a distant horizon.

"Good," she whispered, curling her fingers into fists, letting the sharp bite of her nails anchor her to the moment.

Two years. That was the limit she had set for herself.

From the age of fifteen, she had loved him-eight long years of devotion, of chasing shadows and hoping for warmth.

Two more years, and it would be a full decade.

It was enough time to shake the firmest convictions, to erode even the most unyielding hearts.

If by then Brian still couldn't love her, she would step back and give him the freedom he never had to ask for.

But deep down, she prayed-prayed that day would never come, that she would never have to walk away from the life she had built around him.

......

As soon as Brian left for work, Rachel's phone rang. Seeing the caller was Brian's grandma, she quickly answered.

"Rachel, are you off today?" Carol White's warm, familiar voice filled her ears. "Come home quickly. I had your favorite dishes flown in fresh this morning!"

Rachel couldn't help but smile. "Alright, I'll be there soon." After a quick touch-up, she set out immediately.

Upon arriving at the White family's estate, she stepped out of the car-only for the world to tilt unexpectedly. A wave of dizziness washed over her.

The driver beside her reacted swiftly, steadying her. "Be careful. Are you feeling alright?"

Rachel exhaled slowly, regaining her balance. "I must've stood up too fast. My blood sugar tends to drop at times, but it's nothing serious."

Still, she knew she hadn't been in the best of health lately. Perhaps it was all the late nights catching up with her.

With the wedding just around the corner, she had to start taking better care of herself.

Stepping into the grand living room, Rachel's eyes immediately landed on Debby.

"Hello, Debby," she greeted, keeping her tone even.

Debby, never one to mask her distaste, merely glanced at her before scoffing.

"You do realize Carol invited you for lunch, don't you? Look at the time-punctuality clearly isn't your strong suit." Her voice was cold, each syllable dipped in contempt.

Rachel lowered her gaze, momentarily at a loss for words.

Then, a gentle warmth enveloped her hand.

Carol, leaning on her cane, clasped Rachel's fingers and turned to Debby with a mild yet firm expression. "Rachel has always been thoughtful. If she was delayed, I'm sure it wasn't intentional. Besides, lunch isn't even ready yet-so how exactly is she late?"

A lump rose in Rachel's throat. Her vision blurred slightly. She had never known a mother's love-her own mother had died on the operating table the day she was born.

And as for her father? Cold and distant, he wasn't worth dwelling on.

The only true warmth she had ever known came from Brian's grandparents.

Without them, she might never have known what it felt like to be cherished.

Debby let out an exasperated huff. "She's a grown woman now. You can't keep coddling her forever."

Carol's expression hardened as she delivered a fierce rebuke. "I will protect her as long as I draw breath. Anyone who dares to trouble her will answer to me first-and I promise you, no one will find peace if they try."

With gentle authority, she guided Rachel to the seat beside her. "Come here, dear. Sit with me."

Debby stood frozen, swallowing her displeasure. Carol's fierce protectiveness left no room for argument, forcing Debby to suppress her rising frustration. A bitter jealousy festered within her-after decades of marriage into the White family, Carol had never shown her such warmth.

Yet Rachel, merely because she resembled Carol's long-deceased daughter, basked in boundless affection.

How could Debby not feel slighted?

The situation stung even deeper considering her own son was marrying an illegitimate daughter. The injustice of it all burned in her chest.

Throughout the meal, Debby's mood darkened while Carol lovingly filled Rachel's plate.

"You must be working too hard lately," Carol observed, noting Rachel's pallor with concern. "You've grown so thin. Please eat more. If Brian isn't taking proper care of you, just tell me-I'll set him straight."

Debby's frustration finally erupted. "What good is all this food? They've been together ages with no sign of a child."

Rachel focused on her meal in silence, thinking of the condoms in her bedroom.

She understood their eagerness for a grandchild-she yearned for motherhood herself-but Brian remained unwilling.

Carol shot Debby a warning glance, but Debby pressed on defensively, "I'm only stating facts. They've been together forever, and my son's health is perfect. Other women conceive within weeks, yet after a year, still nothing. You could have had a great-grandchild by now if he were with someone else."

The first half of the words struck home with Carol.

Later, on the sun-drenched balcony, Carol broached the subject gently while holding Rachel's hand.

"My dear, it's just us now. You needn't hide anything. If there are health concerns, modern medicine offers many solutions. Even IVF is an option. Money is no object for the family."

Rachel's heart swelled with emotion.

Even believing she might be infertile, Carol's love remained steadfast.

Overwhelmed, she embraced Carol tightly. "Please don't worry. I'm perfectly healthy."

Carol startled. "Then... is Brian unable to..."

"No, no!" Rachel quickly interjected, eyes wide. "Brian is completely healthy. It's just that we..."

Understanding dawned in Carol's eyes. "Ah. Brian wants to wait, doesn't he?"

"Yes," Rachel confirmed softly. "He says he wants to enjoy our time together first, and wait until my health improves."

"Always defending him. He's not mistreating you, is he?"

Rachel displayed her wrist, showing off an elegant bracelet. "Look what he bought me!"

"That's wonderful, dear."

That afternoon, the new chef prepared delectable desserts.

Rachel's eyes lit up after tasting them. "Carol, are there more?"

"Indeed there are. Thinking of Brian, aren't you?" Carol asked knowingly.

Rachel blushed. "Yes... he has such a sweet tooth. I'd like to bring him some."

Carol's face softened with affection. "Go right ahead, dear!"

When Rachel arrived at Brian's office, he was in a meeting.

Not wanting to disturb him, she quietly left the desserts and turned to leave.

"Rachel!" A familiar voice rang out behind her.

"Tracy?" Rachel turned, surprised by the unexpected encounter.