Beyond Silent Rivers Where Forgotten Dreams Awaken by Evan Royce Hale 3 Summary
In Chapter 3 of “Beyond Silent Rivers Where Forgotten Dreams Awaken,” Carolyn confronts Nathan with a heavy heart, expressing her deep regret for returning and disrupting his life with Aura. Tears flow as she acknowledges the pain her presence has caused, especially given Aura’s long-standing affection for Nathan. Carolyn reflects on her own feelings of abandonment and the emotional distance she has felt from her family, realizing that her return has only intensified her sense of loss. Despite her turmoil, she confesses that Nathan is the one thing she cannot bear to lose.
Nathan, concerned for Carolyn’s well-being, tends to her injury but is also grappling with his own emotions. His gaze shifts to Aura, filled with a mix of anger and disappointment, signaling the complexity of their relationships. Aura, still reeling from the earlier confrontation with Carolyn, feels a profound sense of emptiness as Nathan chooses to leave with her sister. The chaotic dinner culminates in a painful realization for Aura, who is left to deal with her bleeding hand and the emotional fallout of the evening.
As Aura is driven away by the butler, Korbyn, she is engulfed in a storm of thoughts and insecurities. She feels overshadowed by Carolyn and questions Nathan’s feelings for her, fearing that he may believe Carolyn is the one who truly saved him. Her anxiety escalates when she realizes they are not returning to the villa, but instead are stopping at a decrepit building where she is instructed to spend the night alone. This order leaves her feeling abandoned and terrified, especially given her fear of the dark and ghosts.
Once left alone, Aura’s panic intensifies as she finds herself in a desolate area, surrounded by shadows and distant city lights. She curls up against a wall, feeling vulnerable and afraid, especially after discovering a snake nearby. Her scream echoes in the night as she stumbles into the house, only to be met by a horrifying sight of snakes slithering toward her. In a frenzy, she escapes back outside, her heart racing with fear and confusion, questioning why she is subjected to such torment when she believes she has done nothing wrong. The chapter concludes with her feeling utterly lost and desolate, grappling with her own pain and the chaos of her situation.
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**Beyond Silent Rivers Where Forgotten Dreams Awaken by Evan Royce Hale**
**Chapter 3**
Tears streamed down Carolyn’s cheeks, her entire being quaking with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Nathan,” she choked out, her voice trembling with regret. “I shouldn’t have come back. I’ve known for years how much Aura cares for you—I should have never tried to take you away from her.”
She paused, her heart racing as she recalled the years spent apart from her family. “But I grew up distanced from them, and when I finally returned, it was as if I was a ghost in my own home. My parents only had eyes for her, and any claim I had to our family’s legacy seemed to vanish into thin air. I never wanted to fight for any of that. But, Nathan… you are the one thing I can’t bear to lose.”
“Don’t move. Your ankle’s twisted,” Nathaniel said softly, his voice laced with concern. He gathered her into his arms, cradling her with a tenderness that made her heart ache.
As he shifted his gaze to Aurora, however, a storm brewed in his expression—an unfamiliar blend of raw anger and profound disappointment. “Aurora, we need to talk about what happened today.”
Aurora stood frozen in place, her heart racing as she recalled how Carolyn had shoved her earlier, forcing her to stumble against the sharp edge of a tile. The sting of pain radiated from her palm, where blood flowed freely, but it was nothing compared to the hurt of Nathaniel’s gaze as he turned away from her.
The dinner had devolved into chaos, a tangle of emotions that left Aurora feeling hollow. Nathaniel left with Carolyn, and by the time she pressed a napkin against her bleeding hand and made her way downstairs, she found that he had already arranged for Korbyn Benton, the villa’s butler, to drive her away.
As she climbed into the car, her thoughts were a swirling fog, Carolyn’s words echoing relentlessly in her mind. It was no wonder, she mused bitterly. In the five years she had been with Nathaniel, every time she attempted to broach the subject of their pasts, he always seemed to know more than he let on.
She had assumed that he truly understood, so she kept her silence. Gratitude was not the same as love; pushing for more would only make her feel like she was trying to collect a debt owed to her. It had never even occurred to her that he might believe Carolyn was the one who had saved him.
Lost in this troubling thought, it took her a moment to realize that the car wasn’t heading back to the villa at all. Panic surged through her as she gripped the seat and leaned forward, her voice trembling with urgency. “Korbyn, where… where are we going?”
When her words faltered, she instinctively switched to sign language, but Korbyn remained silent, only responding once he parked beside a dilapidated building on the outskirts of town.
He stepped out, bowing slightly, and stated, “Mr. Branson has instructed that you stay here tonight to reflect on your mistakes. I will return for you in the morning. Mr. Branson also reminded you that Ms. Carolyn is your sister and requested that you let go of your resentment and treat her with more kindness.”
Aurora turned to face the desolate, dust-covered house. In the pale, sickly glow of the moonlight, it loomed before her like a gaping maw, ready to swallow her whole.
Nathaniel knew how terrified she was of ghosts. He understood her deep-seated fear of the dark. As dread washed over her, her complexion paled. She shook her head vigorously, desperation clawing at her throat. “No. Please—no!”
But Korbyn was merely following orders. As the car pulled away, Aurora felt her last flicker of hope vanish into the night.
The area was desolate, with only the faint glimmers of distant city lights and the cold moon illuminating the shadows around her. By nature, she was timid, paralyzed by fear; she dared not wander or approach the house. Instead, she found a clean patch of wall outside and curled into herself, seeking comfort in the tightness of her embrace.
Her bag, containing everything she held dear, had been left behind in the car. Time became an abstract concept; each minute dragged on, stretching into an unbearable eternity. The slightest sound sent icy tendrils of fear creeping up her throat.
She had no idea how long she sat there before a sudden sharp pain shot up from her ankle, breaking through her fog of despair. She reached down, her fingers brushing against something slick and cold.
A snake!
“Ah!” she screamed, instinctively lurching away and stumbling toward the house, her heart racing with terror.
As she burst through the door, a dim, murky light illuminated the scene before her—hundreds of snakes slithering across the floor, all turning their heads toward her in unison.
“Help!” Aurora sobbed, bolting back outside, her heart pounding in her chest.
She ran until her legs could carry her no longer, tripping over a stone and crashing to the ground. Pain folded her in on herself, the cold night pressing in around her, merciless and unyielding.
Aurora bit down on her fist, choking back tiny, broken sobs. Why? Why was this happening to her?
She hadn’t done anything wrong.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the turmoil, both Carolyn and Aurora found themselves grappling with the weight of their choices and the shadows of their pasts. Carolyn’s tears, a manifestation of her deep-seated regret, echoed the pain of a sister who felt invisible in a world where love seemed to favor another. Her heart ached for Nathaniel, yet she recognized the bond he shared with Aurora, a connection that she had unwittingly threatened. As she sat with her emotions, the realization dawned that her return had not just disrupted Nathaniel’s life but had also forced Aurora to confront the ghosts of their shared history. The tangled web of love, jealousy, and familial ties left Carolyn yearning for reconciliation, not just with Nathaniel but with the sister she had tried to overshadow.
Meanwhile, Aurora’s harrowing night alone in the desolate building symbolized her internal struggle against feelings of inadequacy and fear. Abandoned by Nathaniel and trapped in a nightmare of her own making, she faced the tangible embodiment of her dread—the snakes that represented her insecurities and the haunting memories of betrayal. As she lay on the cold ground, the pain in her ankle a stark reminder of her vulnerability, she questioned her worth and the love she believed was owed to her. Yet, in that moment of despair, a flicker of resilience ignited within her. Aurora understood that she had the power to confront her fears, to reclaim her voice, and to redefine her relationship with both Nathaniel and Carolyn. The journey ahead promised to be fraught with challenges, but it also held the potential for healing and connection, as they all navigated the silent rivers where forgotten dreams awaited their awakening.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the chilling grip of despair tightens around Aurora, readers can expect an exploration of her inner turmoil as she confronts not only the physical dangers of her surroundings but also the emotional labyrinth of her relationships. With Nathaniel’s absence weighing heavily on her heart, the next chapter will delve deeper into the complexities of love, betrayal, and the haunting shadows of the past. Aurora’s struggle to reconcile her feelings towards Carolyn and Nathaniel will become increasingly fraught as she grapples with her isolation and the fear that has been thrust upon her. Will she find the strength to face the ghosts of her past, or will the weight of her emotions pull her deeper into despair?
Moreover, the sinister presence of the dilapidated house and its slithering inhabitants will serve as a powerful metaphor for Aurora’s fears and insecurities. As she navigates through this dark chapter of her life, readers can anticipate a gripping confrontation with her own demons, both literally and figuratively. Will the snakes symbolize the toxic relationships she must confront, or will they be mere distractions from the real battle within? As the tension escalates, the story promises unexpected twists and revelations that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether Aurora can reclaim her agency and find a way to rise from the ashes of her despair.
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.
