Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn 3 Summary
In “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” Vivienne awakens in a military infirmary, grappling with the aftermath of a near-fatal incident. The sterile environment and the stench of disinfectant serve as grim reminders of her vulnerability. A nurse informs her that she narrowly escaped losing her leg, thanks to the villagers who rescued her. This moment highlights both her physical fragility and the emotional turmoil brewing within her.
Bryson, Vivienne’s husband, enters the scene in disarray, his military uniform muddy and soaked. His concern for Vivienne is palpable, yet their reunion is fraught with tension. Vivienne feels abandoned, having been left to fend for herself while Bryson rushed to save another woman, Nikki. Their conversation spirals into a confrontation where Vivienne’s hurt and anger surface, culminating in her declaration of wanting a divorce. This moment marks a significant emotional turning point, as it signifies her refusal to remain in a relationship where she feels secondary.
As Bryson is called away to attend to Nikki, Vivienne is left alone, grappling with the weight of her feelings. The whispers of nurses outside amplify her sense of betrayal, as they discuss Bryson’s attentiveness to Nikki, further deepening her emotional pain. This juxtaposition of Bryson’s care for another woman against his duty to his wife leaves Vivienne feeling like a mere shadow in her own life, intensifying her sense of isolation and heartbreak.
In the days that follow, Bryson’s presence beside Vivienne is a double-edged sword. Though he takes leave to care for her, his mind is elsewhere, constantly anticipating news about Nikki. Vivienne feels like a spectator to her own life, detached from the emotional connection she once shared with Bryson. The culmination of her feelings is evident when she is discharged from the hospital, and despite being offered a new apartment that symbolizes safety and hope, her heart remains too bruised to accept any form of happiness.
Ultimately, the story captures a profound sense of loss and the struggle for identity within a fractured relationship. Vivienne’s journey through physical recovery mirrors her emotional battle, as she confronts the painful reality of her marriage and the unfulfilled promises that linger in the air between her and Bryson.
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**Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn**
As the first rays of dawn pierced through the sterile curtains, Vivienne stirred from her slumber, only to be met with an overwhelming stench of disinfectant that clawed at her senses. She found herself sprawled on a narrow bed in the military infirmary, her legs propped up and swathed in white bandages that felt both foreign and familiar. The sterile environment buzzed with the quiet hum of machines, and the faint sound of distant voices echoed in the background.
A nurse, her face a mask of concern, approached her bedside. “Miss, you’re fortunate to have been brought here when you were. If it had been even a few minutes later, you might have lost that leg of yours.” The nurse’s voice was steady, but Vivienne could hear the undercurrent of urgency in her tone. She learned that the villagers had discovered her in a state of peril and had rushed her to the hospital, their swift actions a lifeline in her moment of need.
Just then, the door swung open with a force that sent a gust of cold, damp air into the room. Bryson burst in, his military uniform soaked through, caked with mud, and his hair a wild mess, sticking to his forehead like a forgotten soldier. Vivienne had never seen him in such disarray; it was a stark contrast to the composed man she had known.
He hurried to her side, his eyes widening as he took in her fragile form. The sight of her pale face and closed eyes caused his throat to constrict painfully. With a hint of hesitation, he asked, “Vivi, how are you… feeling? Is it serious?” His voice trembled slightly, revealing an emotional vulnerability that was rare for him.
Vivienne’s long eyelashes fluttered against the stark white pillow, but she kept her eyes shut, as if refusing to acknowledge his presence. Slowly, she turned her head away from him, creating a chasm of silence that hung heavily in the air.
Bryson’s hand hovered uncertainly, caught between reaching for her and recoiling from her rejection. He inhaled deeply, the weariness evident in his voice as he explained, “The rain was relentless last night. The situation was dire up north. There was a flood—tens of households were trapped. As a military commander, I need to see the bigger picture. I can’t prioritize my family over the lives of others.”
“Really?” Vivienne’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she turned to face him, her eyes like icy daggers. “Colonel Fenwick, who exactly is your family? You can’t prioritize me, but you rush to save Nikki without a second thought. You left me, your wife, buried under the rubble, on the brink of death, while you went to rescue her. By ‘big picture,’ you mean her, don’t you?”
Bryson’s expression shifted, confusion and frustration playing across his features. “Vivi, why can’t you see my side? The entire military area is my responsibility. Besides, you’re out of danger now, right?”
Out of danger?
She lay in a hospital bed, alive thanks to the villagers, but the weight of her reality felt heavier than any physical injury. An invisible hand seemed to grip her heart, squeezing until it hurt to breathe.
Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, she declared, “Bryson, I want a divorce.” The words hung in the air, a declaration of war against the silence that had settled between them.
Just then, a nurse rushed into the room, her face a mask of panic. “Colonel Fenwick, something’s gone wrong. Miss Gower is terrified of needles. She kept calling for you before fainting during the IV drip. Could you please check on her?”
Bryson’s brow furrowed with worry, his attention snapping back to the nurse. Then, as if recalling Vivienne’s presence for the first time, he glanced at her. “Vivi, what did you just say? I need to see Nik first. We’ll talk later.”
Before Vivienne could muster a response, he dashed out of the ward, leaving her alone in a suffocating silence.
Watching him rush to another woman, Vivienne felt like a cruel joke, the punchline lost on her.
The quiet in the ward was punctuated by the distant chatter of nurses outside.
“Did you see how Colonel Fenwick cares for Miss Gower? He personally attends to her, even checks the temperature of the water before feeding her.”
“I know, right? She’s so lucky. They say she studied abroad. We can’t even begin to compare.”
“Shh! Lower your voice. The patient in this room is Colonel Fenwick’s wife.”
“So what? Can’t you see how much he’s focused on Miss Gower?”
Each whispered comment pierced Vivienne’s already wounded heart, each word a dagger that twisted deeper. The pain became so profound that she couldn’t even register it anymore; it was as if her heart had been devoured piece by piece, leaving only an echoing void in its wake.
In the days that followed, Bryson remained by Vivienne’s side, having taken leave from his duties to care for her. It was a first, a gesture that should have warmed her heart.
Yet, his thoughts seemed to drift elsewhere. Each time he heard footsteps in the hallway, his gaze would dart towards the door, anticipation etched on his face. He was waiting for news of Nikki, ready to abandon Vivienne at a moment’s notice, especially when the nurse came to summon him.
Vivienne stayed silent, a spectator to her own life, watching him leave and return with a look of guilt that never quite left his features. No emotions stirred within her; it was as if she were watching a performance unfold, detached and cold.
The day she was finally discharged from the hospital, Bryson helped her into the car.
“Vivi, the army has assigned me a new apartment. It’s structurally sound. Nothing like this will happen again.”
The place was a modest bungalow, simple yet bright and tidy. As she surveyed the white walls, the gleaming tiled floor, and the brand-new bed and closet, a whirlwind of emotions crashed over her. She had longed for a safe haven, a place where rainy days wouldn’t fill her with dread, where the threat of collapse wouldn’t loom over her. Now, it was all within reach, yet her heart felt too battered to embrace any semblance of joy.
Conclusion
As Vivienne stepped into the new apartment, the starkness of the space mirrored her own emotional desolation. The walls, freshly painted and devoid of any personal touch, felt like a prison rather than a sanctuary. She had longed for a place that would offer solace, a refuge from the chaos outside and within, yet the emptiness echoed the void that Bryson’s indifference had carved into her heart. Each corner of the bungalow held the promise of comfort, yet she found herself unable to grasp it, as if the very air around her was thick with unspoken words and unresolved pain. The disconnect between her physical surroundings and her emotional state left her feeling like a ghost haunting a life she no longer recognized.
In the days that followed, Vivienne realized that healing would not come from the new apartment or Bryson’s presence; it would require a profound reckoning with her own desires and fears. The weight of the unspoken promises hung heavily between them, each day a reminder of what could have been. As she looked out the window at the world beyond, she resolved to reclaim her voice and her life, to confront the shadows of their shared past. No longer would she be a silent spectator; it was time to chase the dawn of a new beginning, to seek out the warmth of unfulfilled dreams, and to honor the promises she had made to herself. With each step forward, she would weave a narrative that was uniquely hers, one that embraced the complexities of love, loss, and the courage to forge a new path, even in the face of uncertainty.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect a deep dive into the emotional turmoil that both Vivienne and Bryson are grappling with as they navigate their fractured relationship. With Vivienne finally discharged from the hospital, the stark contrast between her physical recovery and emotional devastation will take center stage. The new apartment, while a symbol of safety and stability, may also become a battleground for unresolved feelings and unspoken promises. As Vivienne attempts to reclaim her sense of self amidst the chaos, Bryson’s struggle to balance duty and personal loyalty will be put to the test, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if he can truly prioritize his wife over his obligations.
Anticipation builds as the chapter hints at the potential for confrontation and catharsis. Will Vivienne find the strength to voice her pain and demand the love she deserves, or will she continue to retreat into silence, allowing Bryson’s unresolved feelings for Nikki to overshadow their marriage? The tension between the couple will reach a boiling point, forcing them to confront the harsh realities of their choices. As whispers of Bryson’s lingering attachment to Nikki grow louder, the stakes will rise, leaving readers eager to discover whether love can truly conquer all or if the scars of betrayal will prove too deep to heal. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as Vivienne and Bryson stand at the precipice of their future, caught between the shadows of their past and the uncertain light of tomorrow.
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.
