Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn 20 Summary
In Chapter 20 of “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” Bryson is engulfed by a torrent of emotions as he confronts his past mistakes. Overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow, he expresses his remorse to Vivienne, acknowledging the pain he has caused her and Gavin. His apologies come forth like a desperate mantra, but Vivienne listens in silence, her initial shock giving way to a calm detachment. The memories that once tormented her now feel distant, and she grapples with whether to harbor hatred for Bryson, ultimately realizing that the past is irreparable.
Vivienne’s response to Bryson’s pleas is devoid of anger; instead, she delivers a chilling truth: some sins are unforgivable. This revelation leaves Bryson feeling more desolate than any accusation could, as her indifference strikes him deeply. He pleads for forgiveness, but Vivienne’s resolute shake of her head signifies a finality that crushes his spirit. As she turns away, Bryson is left immobilized, watching her walk away with newfound strength, a stark contrast to his own crumbling existence.
The emotional weight of their encounter is mirrored by the tumultuous weather that follows, with a violent storm battering the city. Bryson’s fate takes a dark turn as he disappears from the park, and weeks later, his lifeless body is discovered alongside that of Nikki, a woman long presumed dead. Their tragic end is attributed to the harsh realities of their lives, with no foul play involved, leaving the community with little more than whispers of retribution.
Meanwhile, Vivienne has moved on with her life in Britain, surrounded by family and love. When she hears of Bryson’s death, she is momentarily taken aback but quickly regains her composure, smiling as she poses for a family portrait. Her present is filled with warmth and joy, a stark contrast to the pain of her past, signifying her journey towards healing and a brighter future.
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**Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn**
**Chapter 20**
A tumultuous wave of emotions surged within Bryson—absurdity, irony, and a sorrow so profound it felt like a weight pressing down on his very soul.
“Atonement, I am atoning…” he whispered, his voice thick with anguish as murky tears traced the deep crevices of his weathered face. “Vivi, I have wronged you, I have wronged Gavin. Back then, I was out of my mind; I was not even human…”
He repeated his apologies like a mantra, each utterance simple yet imbued with a depth of remorse that seemed to crush him under its enormity.
Vivienne stood there, listening in silence. The initial shock of his confession gradually faded, leaving her heart wrapped in a numb, almost tranquil calm. The memories that once haunted her, those dark echoes of despair that had once made her wish for death, now felt like distant whispers, as if they belonged to a life lived by someone else entirely.
Did she harbor hatred for him? During her lectures, she had often asserted that hatred was a base emotion, one that served no purpose other than to poison the soul. Now, as she faced this broken man, this fallen “sinner,” she felt an even stronger conviction.
“The past is already over,” she finally spoke, her voice steady and devoid of emotion, as if she were delivering a factual statement rather than a personal reflection. “An apology is useless now.”
Her calmness struck Bryson like a physical blow, leaving him feeling more hopeless than any accusation or resentment could ever convey. He would have welcomed the sting of her anger, the sharpness of her words, or even a slap across his face; at least those reactions would have indicated that she still cared. But she didn’t. She regarded him as one would an irrelevant stranger, her eyes devoid of pity or warmth.
“Vivi, can you… forgive me?” he asked, nearly crawling towards her, his voice trembling with desperation. His eyes shone with a last, humble plea, a flicker of hope in the face of overwhelming despair.
Vivienne met his gaze, her expression unwavering, and slowly shook her head.
Her look was clear and resolute, like the first bloom of spring emerging from a snow-covered mountain.
“Some sins,” she articulated, each word deliberate and heavy, “can never be forgiven.”
Her declaration fell upon him like the gavel of a final judgment, sealing his fate.
Bryson’s body trembled violently, the last vestiges of color draining from his face, leaving him ashen and hollow, a shell of the man he once was. He opened his mouth, yet no sound escaped; the weight of her words rendered him mute.
Vivienne turned her back to him, no longer willing to engage with the man who had caused her so much pain. She cast a final glance at Gavin’s tombstone, her heart heavy yet resolute, and then began to walk away, each step deliberate as she retraced the path she had come from.
Not once did she look back.
Bryson remained rooted to the spot, a statue frozen in time, watching her composed figure fade into the distance, disappearing through the park’s exit. She seemed imbued with a newfound strength, a stark contrast to the decay of his soul, which remained ensnared in the shadows of the past.
As the moments passed, the sky above grew increasingly overcast, mirroring the turmoil within him.
That night, a rare and torrential rain battered the city, lightning illuminating the darkened skies, thunder roaring like a beast awakened from slumber, and fierce winds howling as if to cleanse the world of its sins.
The downpour persisted relentlessly, drenching the earth throughout the night, washing away remnants of sorrow.
In the days that followed, the old man was never seen again in that little park.
Weeks later, in a dilapidated, forsaken neighborhood filled with houses awaiting demolition, a scavenger stumbled upon an unbearable stench that compelled him to call the police.
When the authorities arrived, they forced open the door of one of the crumbling structures.
What they discovered inside was shocking.
The room was bare, shrouded in darkness and dampness, permeated with the foul smell of decay. In one corner, two highly decomposed bodies lay entwined in death’s embrace.
After a painstaking process of identification and DNA testing, the results sent shockwaves through the community.
One of the bodies was identified as Nikki, a woman who had been missing for years, long presumed dead.
The other, to everyone’s astonishment, was Bryson, the former military district Colonel.
Forensic examinations determined that both had succumbed around the same time, their lives extinguished due to multiple complications stemming from long-term malnutrition, organ failure, and harsh living conditions, with foul play ruled out.
Their deaths stirred little more than a sigh or a murmured word of “retribution” from the few elderly souls who remembered the past.
By this time, Vivienne had returned to Britain, her life now filled with warmth and laughter. When she heard the news, she was in the midst of taking a family portrait with her husband and daughter’s family.
Her adorable granddaughter sat on her lap, her chubby little face glowing with health and happiness, a rosy hue brightening her cheeks.
Vivienne was momentarily stunned, the news washing over her like a cold wave, but she quickly regained her composure, a serene smile gracing her lips as she posed for the camera.
A life so complete was now her present and her future.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of Bryson’s desperate plea for forgiveness, the emotional chasm between him and Vivienne widened irrevocably. Her resolute rejection of his apology echoed in the hollow spaces of his heart, leaving him to grapple with the weight of his past sins. As she walked away, the finality of her decision became a stark reminder that some wounds are too deep for healing, and some actions too grievous for redemption. Bryson, once a man of stature, was reduced to a mere shadow of himself, trapped in the labyrinth of his own making, unable to escape the consequences of his choices. The storm that raged outside mirrored his inner turmoil, a violent tempest that seemed to cleanse the world of the remnants of his existence, yet left him stranded in despair.
Meanwhile, Vivienne’s journey toward healing and happiness became a testament to resilience. Surrounded by the love of her family, she embraced a future that was vibrant and full of promise, a stark contrast to the darkness that had once consumed her. The news of Bryson’s demise, though shocking, served as a reminder of the power of moving forward, of letting go of the past to make space for new beginnings. In her heart, she carried no hatred, only the understanding that life is a series of choices, and she had chosen to rise above the pain. As she posed for the family portrait, the warmth of her granddaughter’s laughter filled the air, a beautiful affirmation that love, in its many forms, ultimately prevails over sorrow.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, readers will be drawn deeper into the intricate web of Vivienne’s new life in Britain, where the echoes of her past begin to resurface in unexpected ways. As she navigates the joys of family and the warmth of newfound love, the shadows of Bryson’s actions linger, haunting her in moments of solitude. The contrast between her vibrant present and the desolation that Bryson faced will be stark, raising questions about the true nature of forgiveness and the scars that remain even after time has passed.
Meanwhile, the repercussions of Bryson and Nikki’s tragic end will ripple through the community, unearthing buried secrets that some would prefer to keep hidden. The investigation into their deaths will lead to unsettling discoveries, forcing Vivienne to confront the reality of her past decisions and the impact they had on those around her. As she grapples with her emotions, the chapter promises to explore themes of redemption, the weight of guilt, and the complexity of human relationships, setting the stage for a poignant confrontation between her past and present.
Anticipation builds as readers wonder how Vivienne will reconcile her peaceful existence with the haunting memories that refuse to fade. Will she find closure, or will the past come crashing back in a way that challenges her newfound happiness? The next chapter is poised to unravel these tensions, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether the unspoken promises of the past will finally be addressed or if they will remain forever shrouded in silence.
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.
