The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat by Amira Sloane Vex 3 Summary
In Chapter 3 of “The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat,” the protagonist, Bev, endures a harrowing confrontation with Arielle, who unleashes a torrent of cruel insults. Arielle’s words cut deep, reminding Bev of the traumatic past she has tried to bury, including the explosion that changed her life a decade ago. As the bullying escalates, physical pain accompanies the emotional torment, with Arielle and her friends subjecting Bev to humiliating treatment, leaving her feeling vulnerable and trapped.
Lawrence, who has been a source of support for Bev, enters the scene but appears detached, which adds to her sense of abandonment. Despite his attempts to intervene, he is drawn into Arielle’s manipulative grasp, leaving Bev feeling utterly alone. As Arielle mocks the situation, Lawrence’s cold glance back at Bev signifies a painful acknowledgment of her suffering, yet he ultimately walks away, reinforcing her feelings of despair and isolation.
The chapter reveals the internal struggle within Lawrence as he grapples with his loyalty to Bev and the pressure from his parents. Their harsh words about Bev’s disability weigh heavily on him, leading to a moment of defiance where he stands up for Bev, showcasing the burden he has carried for years. This confrontation is a pivotal moment for both characters, as it highlights the complexity of their relationship and the societal pressures they face.
As Bev reflects on Lawrence’s promises to protect her, the weight of his doubts and the reality of their situation become overwhelming. The emotional turmoil culminates in her decision to check herself out of the hospital, choosing to confront her battles alone rather than rely on others. This decision marks a turning point in her journey, as she resolves to face Arielle and the bullying head-on, signaling her growing strength and determination to reclaim her life.
The chapter concludes with Bev searching for Lawrence, driven by a sense of duty and concern. Their reunion in the alley hints at a complicated relationship, filled with unspoken emotions and unresolved tensions. As they lock eyes, the narrative builds anticipation for the next steps in their intertwined lives, leaving readers eager to see how their story will unfold amidst the challenges they face.
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**The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat by Amira Sloane Vex**
**Chapter 3**
Arielle believed I was oblivious to her venomous words, hurling insults my way with a venomous glee that made my stomach churn.
“It’s entirely your fault for clinging to Lawrence, you pathetic, disabled girl!”
The bitterness in her voice cut deeper than any knife.
“You should have perished in that explosion a decade ago!”
The memory of that catastrophic day was buried deep within me, a secret I had kept hidden from the world.
But now, Lawrence had revealed it to Arielle, exposing my vulnerability.
Tears welled up in my eyes, a mix of sorrow and anger threatening to spill over.
Suddenly, a stick struck my back with a jarring force, and I felt the sickening crack of my ribs, a reminder of my fragility.
Cold, foul-smelling water was poured over me in relentless torrents, each bucket feeling like a punishment I didn’t deserve.
Arielle seized my hair, yanking me forward, forcing my face into the filthy toilet tank.
The stench assaulted my senses, making my head spin and throb with an intensity that left me gasping for breath. I writhed and screamed, but strong hands pinned my limbs to the ground, rendering me helpless.
“Lawrence…”
My voice was muffled, barely a whisper, but the name slipped out instinctively, a plea for rescue.
Footsteps echoed ominously outside the door, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine.
Moments later, Lawrence’s voice broke through the chaos.
“I’ll keep you company tonight.”
His tone was flat, almost detached.
“I’m warning you, Bev’s been acting strange lately. Stay away from her!”
Arielle’s laughter rang out, bright and mocking. “Lawrence, don’t pretend you’re not enjoying this!”
Lawrence shot her a cold glance, his eyes flickering to my struggling form behind her. “Stop bullying people. If this escalates, no one will protect you.”
“Isn’t that what you’re here for?”
Arielle danced into Lawrence’s embrace, her hands gripping his face as she planted a kiss on his lips, a display of ownership that made my heart sink.
With that, Lawrence turned and walked away, leaving me behind.
The taunts and jeers continued, echoing in my ears like a cruel symphony, and Lawrence glanced back once, his gaze lingering on my legs dangling helplessly over the edge of the toilet tank.
“I’m leaving,” he said, brushing off the hands that clung to him as he exited without a backward glance.
Arielle poked her head back in, her voice dripping with disdain as she ordered her friends to clean up.
“It’s all Lawrence’s fault for playing hard to get. If he had just agreed to hang out, I wouldn’t have had to teach her a lesson.”
“Yuck, now my hands are filthy!”
“I’m out of here. You handle the rest.”
Her friends laughed, nodding in agreement as they allowed her to leave first, a queen retreating from her court.
“Compared to a mute like her, any guy would choose you,” one of them sneered, their laughter fading into the distance as they departed in small groups.
All that remained was the haunting sound of water dripping, each drop echoing in my ears like a reminder of my own despair.
I slumped to the ground, pain radiating through my body, a constant reminder of my suffering.
Turning my head, I caught a glimpse of my phone, the messages on the screen piercing my heart like daggers.
“Bev, just go home tonight.”
My eyelids grew heavier, the weight of despair pulling me into a deep abyss of darkness.
In that moment, I was transported back to the explosion, reliving that harrowing instant when everything changed.
A decade of memories flooded my mind, Lawrence’s promises reverberating like a haunting melody.
“Bev, I’ll be your eyes, your ears, your voice. I’ll show you the world.”
“Bev, I’ll be your interpreter.”
“I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.”
But now, those promises felt like ashes in my mouth.
As consciousness slowly returned, I could still hear Lawrence’s voice cutting through the noise.
“Repay a debt? Haven’t I spent ten years of my life on her? Isn’t that enough?
“Do I really have to spend my entire life with someone who’s deaf and mute? Don’t I deserve my own life?”
“If this is how it’s going to be, I wish I had died in that explosion!”
My heart stuttered, and I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my palm, sharp and real, a reminder of my existence.
“How could you say that? Bev’s parents would be shattered if they heard you.”
“If Bev heard you, she’d be crushed!”
Lawrence’s mother, Wendy Guthrie, looked at her son, tears glistening in her eyes as her heart ached for both him and me.
“There’s no ‘if.’ She can’t hear. She’ll always be deaf.”
A sharp slap echoed in the room, a sound that reverberated with authority.
“Lawrence, is that girl’s name Arielle? I’m warning you, stay away from her!
“If you don’t, I’ll send you abroad tomorrow!”
His father, Maurice Guthrie, had struck him, but the threat fell flat against Lawrence’s resolve.
He sneered, his eyes icy and unyielding.
“So what if I hang out with her? For ten years, she’s shown me that life is vibrant, full of color.
“With you two, my world has always been shades of gray!”
It was the first time I had ever witnessed Lawrence stand up to his parents.
The first time he had spoken his truth.
So this was the burden he had carried all these years because of me.
Tears streamed down my face, and in that moment, my heart shattered into a million pieces.
The hospital room fell silent once more, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
The following day, I stirred awake and made the decision to check myself out. Wendy and Maurice never once mentioned Lawrence’s name.
I kept my silence as well, the unspoken tension thick between us.
They insisted on confronting the school about the bullying, but I intervened.
Some battles, I thought, are mine to fight alone.
“Arielle, I will not let you escape this.”
For an entire week, Lawrence didn’t return home. Wendy approached me hesitantly, her voice tinged with concern.
“Bev, could you go look for Lawrie?”
That name felt foreign on my ears.
I looked up and nodded, a sense of duty pulling me forward.
That Friday after school, I spotted Lawrence amidst a crowd near a bar in the alley beside campus.
He wore a crisp white button-down, a stark contrast to the rough crowd surrounding him, as if he were a ghost haunting a world he no longer belonged to.
Smoke curled around me as I stood at the entrance of the alley, locking eyes with Lawrence, my heart racing.
He flicked the ash off his cigarette, then extinguished it beneath his shoe before striding toward me, a mix of determination and uncertainty in his gaze.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the torment, a fragile thread of resilience began to weave through my shattered spirit. The echoes of Arielle’s cruel laughter faded, replaced by the haunting realization of my own strength. I had spent years hidden in the shadows of my own silence, but as I stood in the alley, facing Lawrence, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me. Despite the pain and betrayal, the love we once shared still lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of what could be. The decision to confront my own battles became clearer; I would no longer allow the past to define my future. I was ready to reclaim my voice, not just for myself, but for Lawrence as well, who had fought so valiantly for me.
As Lawrence approached, the weight of our shared history hung between us, a silent acknowledgment of the struggles we had faced. His crisp white shirt contrasted sharply with the darkness surrounding him, symbolizing the light I had always seen in him, even when he had faltered. The uncertainty in his eyes mirrored my own, but beneath it lay a glimmer of understanding. Together, we could navigate the chaos of our emotions and the scars that life had etched upon us. In that moment, I realized that we were not just survivors of our past; we were architects of our own destinies, ready to forge a path forward, hand in hand, into a future that, for the first time in a long while, felt full of promise.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat*, readers can expect to delve deeper into the complex relationship between Bev and Lawrence as the stakes rise. With Lawrence’s absence hanging heavily in the air, Bev is left grappling with her feelings of betrayal and longing. As she embarks on a quest to find him, the tension will escalate, revealing the emotional turmoil that both characters are facing. Will Bev confront her fears and the haunting memories of the past? Or will she remain trapped in the shadows of her own insecurities, unable to bridge the gap that has formed between them?
Moreover, the chapter promises to introduce new characters who may either aid or hinder Bev in her journey. As she navigates the murky waters of high school dynamics and the lingering effects of bullying, unexpected alliances may form that challenge her perception of loyalty and friendship. The emotional stakes will rise as Bev confronts not only her own demons but also the harsh realities of her world, forcing her to make choices that could alter the course of her life forever. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions, revelations, and the possibility of redemption as Bev’s path intertwines with Lawrence’s in ways that neither of them could anticipate.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
