Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn 4 Summary
In “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” Bryson and Vivienne are excitedly settling into their new home when Nikki unexpectedly arrives, eager to stay with them. Bryson’s enthusiasm quickly shifts as he reveals that he invited Nikki to live with them for support during her recovery, leaving Vivienne feeling overshadowed and heartbroken. The realization that Bryson’s efforts were aimed at Nikki rather than her strikes Vivienne deeply, evoking feelings of inadequacy and sadness.
As the three of them begin to cook together, the atmosphere initially feels warm and inviting. However, Vivienne soon feels like an outsider as Bryson and Nikki work seamlessly together, filled with a dynamic that excludes her. When Nikki serves Vivienne a bowl of soup containing coriander—an allergen for her—Vivienne’s distress grows. Despite her polite refusal, Bryson insists she eat it, dismissing her concerns and escalating the tension in the room.
Vivienne’s emotions boil over as she confronts Bryson, leading to a dramatic outburst where she shatters the bowl in frustration. This act of defiance not only injures Nikki but also culminates in Bryson’s anger directed at Vivienne. He chastises her harshly, leaving her feeling utterly alone and misunderstood. As Bryson tends to Nikki, Vivienne is left in the chaos, grappling with feelings of despair and isolation.
In the aftermath, Vivienne is engulfed in a deep sense of desolation. The silence of the house amplifies her loneliness as she kneels to pick up the broken pieces of the bowl, feeling the sting of a shard cutting her finger. This physical pain is overshadowed by her emotional turmoil, leaving her numb and lost in her own heartbreak. The chapter captures a poignant moment of conflict, highlighting the complexities of relationships and the struggle for validation in the face of unspoken promises.
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**Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together by Arlo Hayes Finn**
“Vivi, come take a look! This is our new home,” Bryson exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he guided Vivienne through their freshly cleaned space. The air felt lighter, and the sun streamed through the windows, illuminating the small bouquet of flowers sitting proudly in the living room, a delightful touch that hinted at new beginnings.
Just as they were settling into the moment, a sudden series of knocks echoed from the front door, breaking the spell.
With a quickened pace, Bryson dashed to answer it, revealing Nikki standing there, her face lit up with a warm, inviting smile, her luggage in tow.
“Colonel Fenwick, I hope I’m not imposing,” she said, her voice soft and melodic, yet carrying an undertone of uncertainty.
“Not at all! You’re more than welcome here,” Bryson replied, stepping aside to let her in. As he turned back to Vivienne, a thought struck him. “You know, Nik’s old place was really not suitable for her recovery. It was in such disarray. Since we have the space, I invited her to stay with us. We can all support each other through this.”
A sharp pang shot through Vivienne’s heart. It all made sense now—the meticulous cleaning, the way he had animatedly shown her around the house. It was never about her; every effort he made was for Nikki, not for Vivienne at all.
Nikki’s gaze shifted past Bryson to settle on Vivienne, her expression tinged with a hint of satisfaction.
“Mrs. Fenwick,” she began, her tone almost apologetic, “I really didn’t want to move, but Colonel Fenwick insisted. I felt I had no choice but to agree.”
Bryson had a way of making decisions that left no room for debate. Once he set his mind on something, it was as if the world had to bend to his will.
Arguing would be futile. Vivienne had already made her decision to leave; this was merely a formality.
She managed a thin smile, one that barely masked her feelings.
Nikki set her suitcase down with a sense of authority, as if she were the one taking charge of the household. “You know, moving can be such a joyous occasion! We should cook something special to celebrate this new chapter,” she suggested, her enthusiasm infectious.
She took the lead in the kitchen, and Bryson rolled up his sleeves, eager to lend a hand.
Before long, the kitchen filled with the sounds of clattering utensils and light-hearted laughter, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
“Colonel Fenwick,” Nikki chimed, her voice flirtatious, “could you pass me that pot? I think the heat might be a bit too high. Can you check it for me?” Bryson obliged, his tone gentle and attentive. It was a stark contrast to how he usually spoke to Vivienne—softness and patience that seemed to flow effortlessly between them.
They worked together in a seamless rhythm, as if they were a well-rehearsed duo, leaving Vivienne feeling like an outsider in her own home.
When the meal was finally served, Nikki placed a steaming bowl of soup in front of Vivienne, her smile bright and encouraging. “Vivienne, you haven’t fully recovered yet. This soup is perfect for you. I made it just for you!”
Vivienne looked down at the bowl, her heart sinking. It was filled with coriander, the very herb that could trigger her severe allergy. She remembered a time when she had accidentally ingested it and nearly faced a life-threatening reaction.
“Thank you, but I can’t eat this,” she said softly, pushing the bowl away as delicately as she could manage.
Nikki’s smile faltered, her demeanor shifting instantly. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she turned to Bryson, her voice quivering. “Bryce, does Vivienne dislike me? I know it’s not ideal for me to move in here. If she’s upset, I can leave right away…” She pretended to rise from her seat, her expression filled with concern.
“Sit down,” Bryson commanded, his voice low and stern as he directed his gaze at Vivienne. “Nik means well. The soup is made for you. You should eat it.”
Vivienne met his eyes, feeling the weight of his expectation. “There’s coriander in it. It could trigger my allergy. Don’t you remember?” she pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice.
“It’s just a little coriander. How serious can it be? Don’t make a fuss about it,” Bryson countered, his frown deepening as he perceived her reaction as unreasonable. “Just finish it.”
In that moment, a flood of emotions surged within Vivienne—sadness, anger, despair—all bubbling to the surface like molten lava. Unable to contain herself any longer, she sprang up from her chair, her frustration boiling over as she sent the bowl crashing to the floor.
The bowl shattered, soup splattering everywhere in a chaotic mess.
“I said no!” she shouted, her voice echoing in the room.
In the midst of the chaos, Nikki yelped in pain as a shard of the bowl grazed her forearm, leaving a thin line of crimson.
“Nik, are you okay?” Bryson rushed to her side, his expression shifting from anger to concern as he examined her injury with the gentleness of someone cradling the most precious treasure.
“It’s nothing serious,” Nikki reassured him, her voice tinged with sadness as she covered her arm with her other hand. “My wound doesn’t matter as long as Vivienne isn’t upset with me… I just wanted to make a meal for everyone…”
“Vivienne! Look at yourself! You’re acting like a child! Apologize to Nik!” Bryson’s voice boomed, reverberating off the walls, filled with a mixture of rage and disappointment that was palpable.
The pain in Vivienne’s chest returned, a relentless ache that felt like a blade stabbing her repeatedly.
With tears welling in her eyes, she managed a bitter smile and said, “Not gonna happen!”
“You’re unbelievable!” Bryson exclaimed, his gaze filled with disgust as he looked at her, as if she were something vile.
In a swift motion, he wrapped his jacket around Nikki and guided her out, his arm protectively around her shoulders, leaving Vivienne standing alone in the chaos.
In the vast silence of the house, Vivienne felt the weight of desolation settle around her like a heavy shroud. She remained frozen for a moment, staring at the mess on the floor, before finally crouching down to gather the sharp fragments of the bowl. As she picked them up, a shard cut her finger, and she winced, but the pain barely registered. It was as if she had become numb to everything, lost in her own turmoil.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the chaos, Vivienne found herself grappling with the stark reality of her isolation. The laughter that once filled the air now felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by the weight of Bryson’s anger and Nikki’s fragile presence. As she knelt on the floor, collecting the remnants of the shattered bowl, each shard felt like a metaphor for her own brokenness—pieces of a life that had once promised warmth and companionship, now splintered and cold. The love she had thought was unwavering was revealed to be conditional, and the unspoken promises they had shared faded into echoes of what could have been. In that moment, she realized that the home they had built together was now a hollow shell, devoid of the connection she so desperately craved.
As the last shard of glass slipped through her fingers, she felt a profound sense of loss wash over her. The tears she had held back now flowed freely, mingling with the remnants of the soup on the floor, a bittersweet reminder of the meal that had symbolized her exclusion. The warmth of Bryson’s affection had turned to ice, and she understood that she could no longer chase after unspoken promises that had become nothing more than shadows in the light of reality. With a heavy heart, she resolved to reclaim her voice, to step away from the chaos and find her own path, even if it meant leaving behind the remnants of a love that no longer served her. In the silence that enveloped her, she found a flicker of hope—perhaps the dawn of a new beginning awaited her beyond the last sunrise.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of “Before The Last Sunrise We Chase Unspoken Promises Together,” readers can expect an emotional reckoning as Vivienne grapples with her feelings of isolation and betrayal. The aftermath of the explosive dinner scene leaves her in a state of despair, and the tension between her and Bryson escalates. As she navigates her conflicting emotions, the chapter promises to delve deeper into her psyche, exploring her past traumas and the reasons behind her fierce independence. Will she confront Bryson about his dismissive attitude, or will she retreat further into her shell, allowing the rift between them to widen?
Moreover, Nikki’s presence in the house complicates matters further. As she tries to integrate herself into their lives, her attempts at kindness may provoke unexpected reactions from Vivienne. The dynamic between the three characters will shift, revealing hidden resentments and unspoken desires. Tension will rise as Bryson finds himself caught between his loyalty to both women, leading to moments of vulnerability that could either bridge the gap or deepen the divide. As the chapter unfolds, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see whether Vivienne will reclaim her voice and assert her needs, or if she will continue to feel like a stranger in her own home.
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.
