Beyond Silent Rivers Where Forgotten Dreams Awaken by Evan Royce Hale 2 Summary
In Chapter 2 of “Beyond Silent Rivers Where Forgotten Dreams Awaken,” Aurora receives a call from her father, Carlden Howe, igniting a mix of anticipation and anxiety within her. As they speak, her father’s excitement about her potential return home is palpable, but the conversation takes a painful turn when her mother, Jayla, mentions Nathaniel, the man Aurora once loved. This revelation forces Aurora to confront her buried feelings and the reality of her past, as she grapples with the fear of her family’s reaction to her previous relationship with Nathaniel, who was once engaged to Carolyn.
As Aurora begins to pack up the villa, she feels a sense of urgency to erase memories associated with Nathaniel. Each item she discards represents a small act of liberation, yet the emotional weight of her actions weighs heavily on her heart. When Nathaniel unexpectedly returns, his warm demeanor contrasts sharply with the turmoil within Aurora. Their conversation reveals the complexities of their relationship, especially with Carolyn’s impending return, leaving Aurora feeling vulnerable and uncertain about her place in Nathaniel’s life.
The welcome dinner for Carolyn amplifies Aurora’s feelings of isolation as she watches Nathaniel and Carolyn reconnect, their chemistry evident to everyone around them. The laughter and teasing from their friends serve as painful reminders of her own exclusion, culminating in a moment during a game of Truth or Dare where Nathaniel admits he has not moved on from Carolyn. This confession shatters any hope Aurora had of a future with him, leaving her feeling like a mere spectator in a life that no longer feels like her own.
In a tense encounter in the restroom, Carolyn confronts Aurora, revealing her jealousy and bitterness. Carolyn’s taunts about the past and her manipulation of Nathaniel’s affections cut deep, exposing the vulnerabilities Aurora has hidden away. The confrontation escalates when Carolyn suddenly falls, leading others to believe Aurora pushed her. This moment of chaos brings Nathaniel rushing to Carolyn’s side, leaving Aurora in a state of disbelief and despair, as she realizes the precariousness of her situation and the depth of the betrayal she feels.
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**Beyond Silent Rivers Where Forgotten Dreams Awaken**
**by Evan Royce Hale**
**Chapter 2**
As the call connected, a wave of anticipation washed over Aurora. Her father, Carlden Howe, was on the line, his voice barely concealing the tremor of excitement that coursed through him. “Aura, can you hear me?” he asked, his tone cautious yet hopeful.
Hearing that familiar voice sent a tightness through her throat, a mixture of comfort and anxiety. She managed a soft, choked “Mm,” barely above a whisper.
“Thank god. You finally came around and want to come home? I’ll book you a ticket overseas right now. Oh—didn’t you mention you had a boyfriend there? Are you two coming back together?”
Aurora felt a pang in her chest as she forced down the quiver in her voice. It had been so long since she had spoken properly that even the act of forming words felt foreign and rusty. “No, we broke up,” she replied, trying to keep her tone steady.
“Good!” Suddenly, her mother, Jayla Howe, snatched the phone with an urgency that startled Aurora. “Aura, when you come, remember to thank Nathan. He took care of you for five years—you should show him some real gratitude.”
The mention of Nathaniel’s name ignited a fire in Aurora’s eyes. The pain she had buried deep within her surged up like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her in memories she wished to forget.
She had deceived her family; they had no idea that Nathaniel was the man she had once loved. If they ever discovered that she had been involved with Carolyn’s former fiancé, the fallout would be catastrophic.
Words failed her as she grappled with the truth, so she swallowed the ache and offered Jayla a quiet, obedient response.
When the call ended, Aurora felt an overwhelming urge to escape her memories. She began to pack up the villa, her movements methodical and determined.
Her expedited visa would take seven days—just enough time to erase every trace of her life spent alongside Nathaniel.
The house was a shrine of memories, filled with matching couple’s items that now felt like chains binding her to a past she wanted to forget. She gathered them all, tossing them into a pile as if disposing of the remnants of a life that no longer belonged to her.
Nathaniel had showered her with gifts over the years—tokens of love she had once cherished like treasures. Each item she discarded felt like a small liberation, yet the weight of what she was doing pressed heavily on her heart.
So engrossed in her task, she didn’t notice Nathaniel’s return until he crouched down in front of her, his warm smile illuminating the dim room. He ruffled her hair gently, his eyes sparkling with concern as he signed, “Is everything fine? What made you suddenly want to tidy up all this? Did you hear Carolyn’s coming back?”
Aurora opened her mouth to respond, but the sight of his face locked her words away. Instead, she simply nodded, the weight of unspoken truths hanging between them like a heavy fog.
“Aura, you don’t need to pack anything. I’ll have the staff send your things to your place, and the villa will get all new ones. Carol’s welcome dinner is tonight—we’ll go together, and I’ll bring her home after.”
A bitter curve twisted her lips, and she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “When Carol comes back, will you still love me? Will she know about us?”
“I love you, Aura. I’d never disappoint you. But Carol just got divorced—she’s in a bad place. We’ll keep our relationship quiet for now. We’ll tell her when the time is right.”
Her heart clenched painfully, a visceral reaction to his words. In that moment, everything crystallized into a painful clarity.
The welcome dinner was a cacophony of laughter and chatter, a crowd that made Aurora feel like an outsider in her own life. Nathaniel, aware of her aversion to such gatherings, tucked her into the farthest corner of the room, a feeble attempt to shield her from the chaos.
Meanwhile, he sat beside Carolyn, the center of attention, their chemistry palpable.
Everyone knew Aurora couldn’t hear, and their loud teasing felt like daggers, each word a reminder of her isolation. They reminisced about Nathaniel and Carolyn’s past, jesting about their reunion, even tossing out names for their future children.
Nathaniel kept his arm wrapped around Carolyn’s waist, laughing along, never denying a single word.
Later, the group decided to play a round of Truth or Dare. When Nathaniel’s turn came, he chose Truth, and his friends wasted no time. “I’ll ask! Nathan—five years have gone by. Be honest. Have you really moved on from Carol?”
Nathaniel lowered his head, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass as if seeking answers in its depths. Finally, he exhaled, a sound of surrender. “No. I can’t let her go.”
Tears shimmered in Carolyn’s eyes. “Nathan, I can’t let you go either.”
In that moment, five years of ice between them seemed to melt away, and the crowd erupted, urging them to kiss.
Aurora sat there, invisible, a spectator to a celebration that felt entirely foreign to her. Exhaustion washed over her like a tide, and she grabbed her bag, slipping away to the restroom for a moment of solitude.
Just as she finished washing her hands, Carolyn strode in, her presence as striking as ever.
In the mirror, two faces appeared side by side—similar features yet starkly different. Aurora was soft-spoken, while Carolyn radiated sharpness and wild energy.
Carolyn touched up her smudged lipstick, a smirk playing on her lips. “Aurora, I should really thank you. You spent five whole years taking such good care of Nathan for me. The Branson family’s fortune will be mine, and so will Nathan. Doesn’t that just kill you?”
The provocation in Carolyn’s eyes was unmistakable, a challenge that made Aurora’s heart race. Jealousy flickered in Carolyn’s expression, a stark reminder of the worry Nathaniel had shown when she left earlier. Carolyn grabbed Aurora’s chin, her nails biting into her skin.
“Oh, right. You can’t hear. Then I might as well let you in on a little secret. Nathan is so devoted to me because he thinks I saved his life when he was eighteen—but the one who actually saved him was you. And of all the ways to mess up, you had to be deaf.
“And that medicine you took for your ears? I switched it. Mom and Dad adored you for years. Even after they dragged me back from the countryside, they still only loved you. The Howe shares went to you, too. Why? Why should everything be yours?”
Aurora felt disbelief wash over her, Carolyn’s words crashing down like a storm. But before she could gather her thoughts, Carolyn yanked Aurora’s hand, suddenly stumbling backward and crashing to the floor.
To anyone watching, it appeared as though Aurora had shoved her.
Nathaniel rushed over, panic etched across his face as he dropped to Carolyn’s side. “What happened? Carol, are you hurt?”
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Aurora stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched Nathaniel kneel beside Carolyn, his concern for her evident. The room swirled around her, laughter and chatter fading into a distant hum as the weight of betrayal settled like a heavy cloak. The truth of Carolyn’s words hung in the air—a bitter reminder of the sacrifices she had made and the love she had nurtured, now twisted into a weapon against her. As she stepped back, the walls of the villa that had once felt like home closed in on her, suffocating her with memories that now felt tainted and painful. The realization that her love for Nathaniel had been a fragile illusion shattered her resolve, leaving her grappling with the stark reality of her isolation and the impending choices she would have to make.
With each passing moment, Aurora felt the chains of her past tighten around her, urging her to reclaim her voice and her life. As she turned to leave the chaos behind, a flicker of determination ignited within her. The journey ahead would not be easy, but it was hers to navigate. No longer would she be a silent observer in her own story. As she stepped outside into the cool night air, the weight of her memories began to lift, replaced by a burgeoning sense of freedom. Aurora knew she had to confront the shadows of her past and embrace the unknown, for beyond the silent rivers of her forgotten dreams lay the promise of awakening—a chance to reclaim her identity and forge a new path, one that was truly her own.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions as Aurora grapples with the fallout from Carolyn’s shocking revelation. With tensions escalating, the fragile facade of her relationship with Nathaniel will be put to the ultimate test. As the truth of their past and the entangled loyalties come to light, Aurora must confront her feelings of betrayal and the reality of her place in Nathaniel’s life. Will she find the strength to stand up for herself, or will she continue to be overshadowed by Carolyn’s manipulations?
As the night unfolds, the welcome dinner takes a dramatic turn, leaving Aurora at a crossroads. With the stakes higher than ever, she faces a choice: to reclaim her voice and assert her worth, or to retreat into the shadows of her past. The tension will crackle in the air as secrets threaten to unravel, and the dynamics between the three characters shift unpredictably. Will Nathaniel rise to defend Aurora, or will he remain ensnared by the magnetic pull of his past with Carolyn? Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster that will leave readers breathless, as Aurora’s journey toward self-discovery takes a pivotal leap forward amidst the chaos.
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
