Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn 14 Summary
In “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” the protagonist, Bryson, experiences a moment of profound grief and regret as he kneels at Gavin’s grave, expressing his anguish over the pain he caused his wife, Vivi. He feels a deep sense of failure, admitting to his father-in-law that he has not only hurt Vivi but has also failed in his duties as a son-in-law. Overwhelmed by guilt, he physically punishes himself, striking his own face as a manifestation of his self-loathing and despair. His emotional turmoil is palpable, as he grapples with the realization that he has driven Vivi away and feels he deserves to die for his actions.
As Bryson struggles with his emotions, he is interrupted by the arrival of Nikki, who brings flowers to Gavin’s grave. Her presence stirs a mix of irritation and disgust within Bryson, as he associates her with his past mistakes and the pain he inflicted on Vivi. Despite his cold demeanor towards her, Nikki remains focused on paying her respects to Gavin, demonstrating a sincere acknowledgment of the bond she shares with Vivi and the impact of her own actions. Bryson’s resentment towards Nikki grows as he watches her kneel and express gratitude to Gavin for bringing Vivi into the world, feeling sickened by her apparent oblivion to his inner turmoil.
Throughout the encounter, Bryson’s emotional state oscillates between anger and sorrow, illustrating the complexity of his feelings towards both Nikki and his own failures. He is caught in a web of regret, unable to reconcile his past actions with his current reality. Nikki’s reverence for Gavin serves as a stark contrast to Bryson’s self-recrimination, highlighting the different ways in which they cope with their shared history. As Bryson observes Nikki’s heartfelt tribute, he is confronted with the painful truth of his own inadequacies, leaving him feeling even more isolated in his grief.
The chapter effectively captures the raw emotions of loss, regret, and the struggle for redemption, as Bryson grapples with the consequences of his actions and the presence of those who remind him of his failures. The cemetery setting amplifies the weight of these emotions, creating a poignant backdrop for the characters’ interactions and the unspoken promises that linger between them.
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**Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn**
“Dad.”
A raw, anguished cry erupted from his throat, a sound filled with unbearable pain that he could no longer contain.
“I’m here, I’ve come to confess to you.”
His forehead pressed against the cold, unyielding ground, muffling his voice but making every word resonate with clarity.
“I’m not human; I’m a bastard!”
“Vivi endured so much after marrying me. I failed to protect her, to cherish her; I made her suffer all alone…”
With a sudden movement, he lifted his head, revealing a glaring red mark on his temple, a painful reminder stained with dust from the earth beneath him. His eyes were bloodshot, brimming with tears that cascaded down his cheeks like a relentless storm.
“I didn’t even get to see you one last time. I failed in my duty as your son-in-law. I even…”
His voice faltered, choked with emotion.
“I even came dangerously close to tearing down your grave just to force Vivi!”
“I’m not human! I’m an animal!”
Before the weight of his words could settle, a surge of fury and self-loathing propelled him to raise his hand. With every ounce of strength he had left, he struck his own cheek with a resounding slap!
“Smack!”
The sharp, echoing sound of the slap reverberated through the stillness of the cemetery, a testament to his inner turmoil.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he followed up with a backhand, hitting himself even harder!
“It’s
my
fault! I’m the one who drove Vivi away!”
“Smack!”
“It’s because of all the terrible things I did that she lost all hope in me!”
“Smack! Smack!”
One slap after another landed mercilessly across his face. He seemed numb to the pain, his lips split and bleeding, the crimson mingling with the blood from his bruised temple, transforming his visage into a grotesque reflection of his torment.
His shoulders quivered uncontrollably, as if each sob was a physical blow to his already shattered spirit.
“I was wrong, Dad, I know I was wrong.”
“But I don’t even have a chance to make it up to her. She doesn’t want me anymore. I can’t find her…”
“I deserve to die; I truly deserve to die…”
This iron-willed Colonel, a man who could command thousands without flinching, who never batted an eye amidst the chaos of gunfire, now knelt before Gavin’s grave like a lost child, his sobs echoing in the quiet cemetery, raw and desperate.
Overwhelming grief and regret drained every ounce of strength from his body. He braced himself against the cold, unforgiving ground, trying to rise, but his knees buckled beneath him.
Just as he steadied himself, preparing to leave this place of sorrow, a flicker of movement caught his eye.
It was Nikki.
Her face bore the perfect blend of sorrow and concern, and she cradled a bouquet of pristine white chrysanthemums in her hands, their delicate petals contrasting sharply with the heavy atmosphere.
Bryson’s brows knitted together instantly, an inexplicable wave of irritation and disgust surging from deep within him.
He didn’t want to see her—not here, not in front of Gavin’s grave. Every encounter with Nikki felt like a painful reminder of his unforgivable mistakes, a reminder of how, because of her, he had repeatedly hurt and let Vivienne down.
Yet, Nikki appeared oblivious to the disdain etched across his face. She approached slowly, stopping a few paces away, her gaze lingering on the wounds that marred his temple and cheek. Her voice, tinged with startled sympathy, broke through the tension: “Colonel Fenwick… you… how did you get hurt like this?”
Bryson remained silent, his eyes icy as he shot back, “Why are you here?”
Nikki flinched at his cold tone, then lowered her head, her voice soft yet resolute: “I… I came to see Mr. Collier.”
She moved around Bryson, approaching Gavin’s tombstone with a grace that seemed almost reverent. Carefully, she placed the chrysanthemums down, and to Bryson’s astonishment, she knelt and bowed three times before the grave.
Her movements were deliberate, her posture humble, as if she were acknowledging a sacred bond.
Once she finished, she raised her head, her eyes searching the kindly old man’s face in the photograph on the tombstone. Tears quickly filled her eyes, her voice trembling as she spoke: “Mr. Collier, I’m Nik. I’ve come to see you. Thank you, thank you for bringing someone as wonderful as Vivi into this world… It’s me who wronged her; I owe her everything, and I can never repay it in this lifetime…”
Bryson’s fists clenched tightly at his sides, watching Nikki’s display with growing resentment. He observed her performance, her ‘grateful’ demeanor, and he felt a wave of nausea rise in his stomach.
Nikki seemed lost in her own emotions, pouring her heart out to the tombstone, oblivious to the storm brewing within him.
Conclusion
In this poignant chapter, Bryson’s emotional unraveling reaches a harrowing peak as he confronts the weight of his failures and the deep scars they have left on those he loves. His anguished cries and self-inflicted pain serve as a visceral reminder of his guilt and regret, revealing a man stripped bare by his own inadequacies. The cemetery, a place of mourning, becomes a crucible for Bryson’s shame, where he grapples with the realization that he has not only failed himself but also the woman he swore to cherish. In this moment of raw vulnerability, he acknowledges the chasm that has formed between him and Vivienne, a chasm he feels powerless to bridge, leaving him teetering on the edge of despair.
Yet, the unexpected arrival of Nikki introduces a new layer to Bryson’s turmoil. Her earnest tribute to Gavin, coupled with her own admission of guilt, stirs a tempest within him—a mix of resentment and recognition of their shared pain. As she kneels before the grave, Bryson is forced to confront not only his own failings but also the complexity of their intertwined fates. Nikki’s presence, initially perceived as an unwelcome reminder of his mistakes, gradually becomes a catalyst for reflection. In witnessing her remorse, Bryson is compelled to reconsider the path forward, hinting at the possibility of redemption. The chapter closes on a note of uncertainty, leaving Bryson at a crossroads where he must decide whether to succumb to his anguish or rise from the ashes of his past, ignited by the unspoken promises that linger in the air, waiting to be chased together.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect a dramatic confrontation between Bryson and Nikki, as the tension between them reaches its breaking point. With Bryson’s heart heavy with regret and fury, the cemetery setting becomes a battleground for their unresolved feelings and unspoken truths. Will Bryson finally confront Nikki about her role in the turmoil that has plagued his life and the life of Vivienne? The emotional stakes are high, and as secrets begin to unravel, both characters will be forced to face the consequences of their actions.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Bryson’s psyche, exploring the depths of his guilt and the flickering hope that still lingers within him. As he grapples with the weight of his failures, the arrival of Nikki may serve as a catalyst for his redemption or further despair. Will he find the strength to forgive himself and seek a path toward reconciliation with Vivienne? Or will the ghosts of the past continue to haunt him, leaving him trapped in a cycle of self-loathing? Anticipation builds as readers are left wondering how these pivotal moments will shape the fates of Bryson and Nikki, and whether the fragile bonds of love and forgiveness can withstand the fierce winds of their shared history.
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.
