Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn 12 Summary
In Chapter 12 of “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” the protagonist reflects on his past with Vivienne, recalling her youthful innocence and charm before their wedding. He vividly remembers the day they took their wedding photos, where Vivienne, dressed in a vibrant red sweater, radiated joy and excitement. Despite his initial reluctance, her spirit drew him in, and he ultimately joined her in capturing those fleeting moments. However, he now views those photographs with a heavy heart, realizing the depth of his regret over their lost connection.
As he sifts through the memories, he feels a profound sorrow, likening his emotional pain to the act of trying to piece together a shattered photograph of Vivienne. Each fragment he aligns evokes a wave of regret, reminding him of the love he took for granted. The once vibrant image is now marred by cracks, symbolizing the fractured state of their relationship. He mourns not only for the lost moments but also for his failure to appreciate her beauty and spirit while they were together.
The chapter takes a somber turn as he confronts the reality of their divorce, which has become a public affair within the military district. His superiors express their concern over his personal life, insisting that he must remarry to maintain the image of stability and trust within the organization. This pressure weighs heavily on him, as he grapples with the consequences of his past choices and the emptiness left by Vivienne’s departure.
Despite being presented with various potential partners, he resolutely rejects each one, unable to entertain the idea of moving on from Vivienne. His heart remains tied to the memories of their time together, and he feels that no one could ever fill the void she left behind. The chapter concludes with a poignant sense of loss, as he recognizes that he has irrevocably lost her, leaving him to navigate a future that feels bleak and unfulfilled.
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**Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn**
**Chapter 12**
He found himself lost in a haze of memories, recalling the time before their wedding when Vivienne was still a bashful young woman, her cheeks blooming with a delicate flush that resembled the softest petals of spring. Whenever she spoke, those rosy patches would dance across her face, illuminating her innocence and charm.
On the day they ventured out to capture their wedding photos, she donned a vibrant red sweater that seemed to mirror the warmth of her spirit. Her hair, styled in two thick, black braids adorned with cheerful red ribbons, cascaded neatly over her shoulders, framing her face like a delicate work of art. Her big, round eyes sparkled with an uncontainable excitement, and in that moment, she resembled a ripe apple, full of life and sweetness.
Initially, he had been reluctant to participate in the photo session, his mind clouded with doubts and worries about the future. But as he gazed upon the radiant young girl before him, something within him shifted. His once steadfast heart, armored by reservations, softened ever so slightly, as if drawn in by her undeniable light.
With a resigned sigh, he ceased his protests and stepped into the photo studio alongside her, surrendering to the moment.
The photos were taken, and Vivienne cherished them as if they were precious jewels, often pulling them out to admire their beauty.
Back then, he had dismissed her enthusiasm as mere childishness—after all, they were just photographs, mere snapshots in time. What could possibly be so special about that?
But now, as he sifted through the pile of fragmented memories, his heart felt as though it had shattered into a million pieces, each shard carrying a weight of sorrow that made it difficult to draw in a breath.
In a moment of desperation, he retrieved glue and a sheet of transparent backing paper, and under the dim glow of the lamp, he began the painstaking task of piecing the fragments back together, bit by bit.
The process was torturous. Each time he found a piece that belonged to her radiant smile, it felt as if a needle had pricked his heart; each time he managed to align a small section of her clear brows and sparkling eyes, a wave of regret surged through him, overwhelming and relentless. He recalled how she had shyly hung that photo by their bedside, how she had waited for him in silence, her gaze fixed on that image when he returned home late, and how she had tenderly wiped the dust from its surface, as if preserving a sacred relic…
In the end, the photo was barely reconstructed, marred by clear, indelible cracks that traversed its surface, especially in the space that once held the two of them together, now nearly torn apart and held only by the fragile bond of glue. It mirrored their relationship—fractured by his own hands, forever altered, never to return to its former glory.
In that photo, she smiled like a blooming flower, her eyes aglow with starlight, a beacon of joy and hope.
But now, that same smile was obscured by cracks, a haunting reminder of what had been lost.
“Why didn’t I recognize my own heart sooner…” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, and he felt a sob clawing its way up his throat. “Why did I have to lose you completely before I realized how incredible you truly were, before I understood just how foolish I had been…”
With great care, he placed the scarred photo into a frame, setting it gently on the nightstand.
This was now his only means of seeing her, a bittersweet connection to the past.
He was acutely aware that, given his position and the prevailing policies of the time, the possibility of traveling abroad to find her was a distant dream, an impossibility. She had chosen a flight into the vast unknown, severing all ties and cutting off any chance he had of winning her back.
He had lost her, irrevocably, lost her forever.
The news of their divorce spread like wildfire throughout the military district, whispers and rumors flitting from one corner to the next.
The marriage of a Colonel was no longer a private affair; it became a matter of public scrutiny. Soon, he found himself summoned for an official conversation, orders from higher-ups echoing in the air like a thunderclap.
In the spacious office, the old leader patted him on the shoulder, his expression grave yet earnest. “Bryce, you are a role model for our military district, a Colonel! Personal matters are never trivial—they affect stability, they impact our image! How can the organization place its trust in a cadre who cannot even manage his own family? You must remarry as soon as possible!”
He listened in silence, standing tall, yet feeling the weight of that so-called ‘concern’ pressing down on him like a heavy cloak.
After that, a parade of ‘introductions’ began, one after another, each more carefully curated than the last.
There was the girl with the sweetest voice from the art troupe, the nurse whose smile could warm the coldest heart in the hospital, and the heiress with the most impeccable family background from the compound…
Each one was presented to him with the expectation of a favorable response.
Some were shy, their eyes darting away; others exuded confidence, their gazes steady. A few looked at Bryce with the awe and admiration typical of someone in his position.
Yet, he turned them all down, each rejection clean and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation, no glimmer of hope for a second chance.
Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of heartbreak, Bryce stood amidst the remnants of a life once filled with laughter and love, now overshadowed by the heavy weight of regret. The fractured photograph on his nightstand served as a poignant reminder of the joy he had taken for granted, a symbol of the unspoken promises that lingered like shadows in the corners of his mind. Each crack in the image mirrored the fissures in his own heart, a testament to the cost of his neglect. As he faced the reality of his choices, the echoes of Vivienne’s laughter haunted him, urging him to confront the truth he had long avoided: that he had lost not just a partner, but a part of himself in the process. The vibrant memories of her youthful spirit contrasted starkly with the desolation that now filled his days, leaving him to grapple with the profound emptiness that followed her departure.
Yet, amid the sorrow, a flicker of determination ignited within him. Each rejection of the carefully curated introductions became a declaration of his unwillingness to settle for anything less than the profound connection he once shared with Vivienne. He understood now that love was not merely a convenience or a societal expectation; it was a sacred bond that deserved respect and nurturing. As the whispers of gossip faded into the background, Bryce resolved to honor the memory of what they had, embracing the lessons learned through his pain. Though the path ahead remained uncertain and fraught with challenges, he recognized that healing began with acknowledging his own heart, and perhaps, in time, he could find a way to chase the unspoken promises that still lingered in the air, waiting for their chance to bloom once more.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As Bryce grapples with the weight of his past and the relentless pressures of his present, the upcoming chapter promises to delve deeper into his internal struggle. The echoes of Vivienne’s laughter and the haunting memories of their once-shared life will intertwine with the stark reality of his military obligations. With each rejection of the potential suitors presented to him, the tension will build, revealing the depths of his unresolved feelings and the battle between duty and desire. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering if Bryce will ever find the courage to confront his emotions and seek out the one who truly holds his heart.
Moreover, the chapter will introduce new characters who may challenge Bryce’s steadfast resolve. As the whispers of his divorce continue to ripple through the military district, the stakes will rise, and Bryce will face not only external pressures but also the internal turmoil of a man torn between his past and his future. Will he finally acknowledge the love he lost, or will he succumb to the expectations imposed upon him? The anticipation of whether Bryce will take bold steps toward reconciliation or remain shackled by his regrets will leave readers breathless, eager to turn the page and discover the fate that awaits him before the last sunrise.
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.
