[Grammar] I could hear my heart broke into many pieces

[Oceanlike]

I am unsure if I should use break or broke in the following sentence. I know that after 'could', the next verb must be in base form, therefore 'hear'.

I could hear my heart break into many pieces.

Somehow, 'break' sounds better than broke. If 'break' is correct, why is it correct since it's a past action?

Thank you. :-D

 

[Matthew Wai]

Because 'hear' is a verb of perception, after which the bare infinitive should be used.