Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn 2 Summary
In Chapter 2 of “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” Bryson returns home after three days, but his presence fails to bring comfort to Vivienne. Instead, she is absorbed in a book, treating him like a ghost. Bryson, embarrassed and concerned, tries to express his condolences for her father’s sudden death, but his words only make her feel that his passing is insignificant. This moment highlights the emotional distance that has grown between them, as Vivienne’s grief clashes with Bryson’s attempts to move forward.
The tension escalates when Vivienne confronts Bryson about perceived favoritism towards Nikki, a child of a martyr, regarding military privileges. Vivienne’s frustration and skepticism reveal her transformation from a timid woman to one filled with cool confidence. Bryson’s efforts to reassure her fall flat, as she remains unconvinced of his loyalty and intentions. This exchange showcases the deepening rift in their relationship, marked by misunderstandings and unspoken grievances.
As night falls, Bryson attempts to rekindle their intimacy, but Vivienne’s feelings have shifted to revulsion, stemming from years of neglect and disconnection. When a storm hits, Bryson rushes out to check on things, leaving Vivienne alone. The storm mirrors her internal chaos as she grapples with her anxiety and the deteriorating state of their home. The sudden collapse of the ceiling traps her, amplifying her desperation and longing for Bryson’s presence, illustrating her vulnerability.
Just as darkness threatens to engulf her, Bryson returns with soldiers, but his immediate concern for Nikki’s safety leads him to leave Vivienne behind. This decision shatters her, revealing the painful truth of her place in his life. The relentless rain symbolizes the washing away of her last hopes, leaving her in a state of despair as she slips into unconsciousness. The chapter concludes with a poignant sense of abandonment, underscoring the emotional turmoil and the stark reality of their fractured relationship.
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**Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn**
**Chapter 2**
Three days had slipped by like shadows, and at last, Bryson returned home.
Yet, this time, Vivienne’s heart was not warmed by his presence. Instead, she remained at the table, engrossed in a book, her gaze fixed on the pages as if he were nothing more than a ghost passing through her world.
Bryson, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, approached her hesitantly. This was an unfamiliar dance for him; once, he would have been greeted with open arms and a radiant smile. Now, however, his heart sank as he sensed a heavy air of oppression surrounding her.
“Vivi,” he began, his voice tinged with concern, “I just heard about your father. His passing… it was so sudden. I’m truly sorry. These things happen, but we must look to the future. We still have our lives ahead of us.”
His words struck her like an icy wind, making her father’s death feel alarmingly insignificant.
Vivienne snapped the book shut, her eyes narrowing as she regarded him with an icy glare. “When I wanted to borrow a military vehicle, you insisted I submit an application first. Why did Nikki not have to do the same?”
Bryson opened his mouth, ready to defend himself. “That book had been added to your bookshelf—”
But Vivienne cut him off, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Nik’s situation was an emergency. I had no choice but to make an exception. Besides, as the child of a martyr, she has certain privileges—”
Here we go again, Vivienne thought, her disbelief rising.
There were countless other children of martyrs within the military quarters. What made Nikki so special?
“Enough!” she interrupted, her voice firm and resolute. “In the future, do whatever you please with Nikki. It’s none of my concern.”
Bryson was taken aback, a flicker of realization dawning upon him. There was something undeniably different about Vivienne today. The timid woman he once knew had transformed; she radiated a cool confidence that left him momentarily speechless.
His tone softened as he spoke again, trying to bridge the chasm that had formed between them. “Vivi, I assure you, I know what I’m doing. You don’t need to worry. There’s nothing happening between Nikki and me.”
Vivienne let out a derisive snort, her skepticism palpable. She didn’t believe him for a second.
As night descended, Bryson hurriedly changed and climbed into bed, pulling Vivienne close with his strong arm. His hand slid across her body, a familiar gesture that once ignited sparks of passion.
But tonight, she felt nothing.
For years, Bryson had been consumed by work, their intimate moments dwindling to mere memories. The few nights they had shared were often at her insistence, and over time, that desire had faded into a dull ache of discontent.
Tonight, however, Bryson seemed unusually eager, a fact that once would have thrilled her. Yet, now, the very thought of his touch filled her with a sense of revulsion.
Instinctively, she pushed him away, but to her surprise, he grasped her hand tightly, leaning in closer. His breath was hot against her ear as he whispered, “Vivi, please, just give it to me.”
At that moment, a thunderclap echoed outside, as if the heavens were responding to their turmoil. A flash of lightning illuminated the room, transforming it into a stark daylight scene for a fleeting second. Then, the downpour began, rain hammering against the roof like a relentless drum.
Bryson quickly dressed, urgency etched on his face. “It’s coming down too hard. I need to go check on things outside. Stay here. Don’t venture out. I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Vivienne nodded, her silence betraying her inner turmoil as she watched him step into the raging storm, his figure swallowed by the sheets of rain.
The storm intensified, thunder roaring, lightning splitting the sky, and the wind howling as if it were a living beast. Vivienne sat on the bed, her heart racing, anxiety gnawing at her insides.
Inside, it felt like a drizzle had settled. She had repeatedly urged Bryson to address the leaks in their dilapidated house, but her pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Now, more leaks appeared, and she found herself scrambling for pots and basins to catch the water, her resources dwindling.
Suddenly, the wooden beam above her creaked ominously.
A chill of dread washed over her, tightening her chest. She clutched her ID tightly to her chest, knowing it was too vital to be soaked in the deluge.
Before she could flee the room, the beam gave way, and the ceiling collapsed around her.
Pain shot through her body as debris pinned her legs beneath the rubble.
“Help…” she called out weakly, her voice barely audible against the roar of the storm.
Never had she felt such a desperate longing for Bryson. She couldn’t die like this, not without him.
As darkness began to creep in, a familiar voice broke through the chaos.
“Vivi, I’m back!”
It was Bryson. He had returned, accompanied by a team of soldiers, their presence a glimmer of hope amidst her despair.
“Bryce, help me… I can’t feel my legs…” she cried, her voice strained and filled with panic.
Bryson was about to direct the soldiers to her aid when one of them rushed forward, urgency in his tone. “Colonel, the north has been flooded. Miss Gower is still there! We need reinforcements urgently!”
Bryson hesitated, glancing back at Vivienne, who lay trapped and pale beneath the debris. In a moment of decision, he turned and commanded, “All of you, head to the north with me immediately!”
With that, he took all the soldiers with him, leaving Vivienne alone once more.
A cold dread filled her as she felt the blood drain from her face. Her heart ached, torn apart by the cruel reality that lay bare before her—Nikki was far more important to him than she would ever be.
The rain continued to pour mercilessly, washing away the last remnants of her hope. The cold seeped into her bones, and the pain enveloped her until she slipped into an abyss of darkness.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the storm, Vivienne’s world lay in ruins, much like the debris that trapped her beneath the weight of her unfulfilled expectations. The emotional chasm between her and Bryson had widened into an insurmountable gulf, marked by a betrayal she could hardly comprehend. As darkness closed in around her, she grappled with the suffocating realization that the man she once loved had chosen duty over her, leaving her to contend with her pain alone. The echoes of their past, once filled with laughter and warmth, now reverberated through her mind as haunting reminders of a love that had faded under the relentless pressures of life and loss.
When Bryson chose to abandon her in her moment of despair, Vivienne’s heart shattered, not just from the physical pain but from the emotional betrayal that cut deeper than any debris. As she lay in the dark, her thoughts spiraled into the abyss, reflecting on the unspoken promises they had once shared—promises that now felt like cruel taunts in the face of her suffering. With each passing moment, she felt the last vestiges of hope slip away, leaving her with nothing but the cold grip of loneliness. In that moment of profound vulnerability, she understood that to survive this, she would have to reclaim her strength, not just for herself but for the memory of her father and the woman she once was. The dawn of a new day might eventually break, but for now, she was left to confront the depths of her despair, determined to rise from the ashes of her broken heart.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the storm rages on, the stakes rise dramatically for both Bryson and Vivienne. In the next chapter, readers can expect to delve deeper into the chaotic aftermath of the collapse, where Vivienne’s struggle for survival becomes a race against time. Trapped and vulnerable, she must confront not only her physical limitations but also the emotional turmoil of feeling abandoned by Bryson in her moment of greatest need. Will she find the strength within herself to escape the darkness that threatens to consume her, or will the weight of her despair prove too heavy to bear?
Meanwhile, Bryson’s decision to prioritize the mission over his wife will undoubtedly haunt him as he faces the consequences of his actions. The chapter is poised to explore his internal conflict as he grapples with his responsibilities as a soldier versus his duties as a husband. As he and his team navigate the treacherous conditions to rescue Nikki, readers will witness the unfolding tension and uncertainty—will he be able to return in time to save Vivienne, or will his choices lead to irrevocable loss? The emotional landscape promises to be fraught with tension, as the storm outside mirrors the tempest brewing within their hearts.
Prepare for revelations, heart-wrenching choices, and the unearthing of buried emotions that will test the very fabric of Bryson and Vivienne’s relationship. The next chapter will not only challenge their bond but also redefine their understanding of love, sacrifice, and the unspoken promises that linger in the shadows of their lives.
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.
