Chapter 4 He is broken

A broken guy

"Whoa. That was great. In her living room, my former classmate Bailey eats a potato chip while we watch her favorite thriller. "That girl is brave enough to dial 911 in the same room as her kidnapper. Does she not believe that he is always able to hear her?

Brea, her twin, shivers under her blanket and cradles her legs on the couch, saying, "I'm getting goosebumps." Her gaze is fixed on the television. She's a genius for making that call, though. Yes, Nyla.

I jerk my head in their direction. My thoughts have been elsewhere, making it difficult for me to concentrate on the film.

I quickly respond, "Yeah," and turn back to the TV.

Brea is squinting at me, and I can feel it. I think she knows I'm not paying attention. My behavior over the last few hours betrays the opposite of my desire to spend a stay at their place while on vacation in New York.

My close friends Bailey and Brea relocated to New York from Texas a year ago. As we had arranged a few weeks prior, they had picked me up at Aunt Melanie's place today to host a sleepover.

We are currently enjoying a Netflix time at midnight.

Aunt Melanie's house was silent earlier today. Everyone, notably Max, who returned home at lunchtime looking exhausted, was still reeling from yesterday's events.

He's still upset, of course. Ethan is like a brother to him.

The thought of Ethan still makes my heart race. I can still see the sorrow in his face clearly in my eyes, and each time I want to ignore that vision, I remind myself that I deserve this awful sensation. This guilt.

In the blink of an eye, his five-year girlfriend-the person he loves and thought he would spend the rest of his life with-left him in the public eye. Not a single word.

My heart tightens once more. I am unable to focus on anything. I am unable to eat. Sleeping is impossible for me. Ethan Blake is on my mind all the time.

"All she needs to do now is wait for the police to show up. Oh my, it's captivating. As she continues to discuss the movie we're viewing, Bailey nibbles her fingernail in anticipation.

"I hate the waiting, especially in this critical time." When the kidnapper unexpectedly shows up next to the girl, Brea lets out a little cry. "Dude. That wasn't required.

Throwing a cushion at her twin sister, Bailey giggles. "That's the best thing about this movie."

Awaiting.

My stomach rumbles at the mention of that term. I'm feeling uneasy. A terrible feeling.

Is it feasible?

Suddenly, my heartbeat quickens. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I'm not sure why, but I feel like leaving this place right now.

I look at my timepiece. Midnight has just passed. He can't possibly have been waiting for two nights in a row, I know that, yet...

I leap to my feet and dash into the twins' bedroom, shocking them. I order an Uber, throw my phone on the bed, and hastily change out of my pajamas into jeans and a sweater while I wait for the driver to come.

Brea and Bailey look at me with wide eyes. They all ask at the same time, "What's happening?"

Fortunately, the automobile I ordered is close by and will be here in a moment.

"I'm sorry," I confess remorsefully. The situation at my cousin's residence is urgent. I put my rucksack over my shoulder and said, "I have to go back now."

"What?" When I leave the room and head for the front door, they both follow me.

"Is it that bad?" Brea asks anxiously. "We can send you there."

I stop and shake my head, turning around. They had no idea that I wouldn't be going there. I'm leaving for another location.

"No, it's alright. "I called an Uber," I exclaim, panting.

However, it is now late in the evening. Better still, if we-"

"Don't worry," I interrupted her. I sound like I'm pleading. "I'll be all right. I must leave now. After saying that, I turn around and walk away.

As soon as I exit the vehicle, I start running. I dash into the property, my sneakers banging on the floor.

The parking lot is empty, but I see lights coming from the hallway rather than a pitch-black building. My concern is heightened by the sight, which confirms my suspicion. Everything is being denied by my thoughts.

Tell me it's not true, please. It shouldn't be.

Why is it that I feel like I know what's going on with him?

When I'm near the hallway, I slow down. I'm breathing heavily as I move along the garden's sidewalk. I can see the space clearly through the hall's huge windows.

Correct. There are no people there. I'm hoping nobody's in there.

Then, however, my legs abruptly stop. There's a voice.

The entrance by the altar is open, but I'm afraid to enter. Instead, my heart thuds as I gaze inside.

Still wearing his wedding suit, Ethan Blake is seated in a row facing the altar.

My heart is bleeding. This is where he has remained. He has spent two nights here.

I suddenly sink, pushing my back against the wall while he's on the phone. I cradle my knees while turning to face the garden. I can hear Ethan's voice on this quiet night.

He asks the guy on the other end of the telephone, "Switzerland?" "With Roman?" is the next thing he says after pausing for a moment. His voice is tremulous, hardly audible. He listens, and the call terminates after the other person has finished speaking.

As I wait for his response, my chest aches.

How unkind.

His best buddy and the woman he loves took a plane to Switzerland.

There, are they beginning a new life?

I become more anxious when I don't hear anything. I take another look, and what I see breaks my heart into pieces.

Ethan glances down and covers his eyes with his trembling palm as he sobs.

I feel as though my chest is going to burst as he heaves up and down. I feel like the universe is collapsing as his sobs erupt.

One tear slides down my cheek, then another, and still another. Like the tears that are now pouring down his face, they are unstoppable.

I fling my head back against the wall, press my eyes shut, and cradle my knees on the floor. I clutch my shaking hand to my chest.

I have a sore throat. My heart aches. His pain is palpable to me. It's right here, so near me, like a knife cutting through my heart.

He adores her. He adores her.

This is not fair to him.

I put my hand over my lips and cried alongside him, doing my best not to cry. I can barely breathe, and I nearly choke.

It is painful. Seeing him weep hurts so much.

My heart continues to bleed, and I'm not sure how long I'll cry because I can still hear Ethan's sobs. Indefinitely.

"Excuse me." I can hear a voice in my thoughts, yet it feels so far. "Miss?"

I frown as my eyelids twitch. I still can't make out anything.

"Why are you sleeping here?"

My head hits the wall as I thrust my body back after my eyes open.

Aww. Pain makes me wince.

In front of me is a middle-aged man who, given his attire and gloves, appears to be the gardener. His face shows worry.

The sky is now blue. As the sound of birds chirping fills the air, the sun's rays fall on my face. It's morning.

"I'm sorry," he gestures with his hands. "I didn't want to touch you and wake you up. I'm glad you're conscious. Why do you sleep here? As I stand here feeling foolish, he asks the same question once more.

Have I just slept in too late? On the ground? By the garden?

I sit up suddenly and glance into the hall, which is deserted.

"There's someone..." I hesitate, wondering where Ethan is.

The gardener asks, "The groom?" as I finish speaking, and I notice the sorrow on his face when I look back at him. "He departed right before your awakening. Being abandoned like that at the altar, poor man. In embarrassment, the gardener shakes his head. Is he a buddy of yours? He passed through the other door, so I doubt he noticed you. Perhaps you ought to give him a call.

My countenance is blank when I look at him. I get up with difficulty. I cried all night long, and my brain is still spinning. I'm worn out.

I enter the empty hall slowly and look around. My lips release a gentle sigh. The gardener is correct.

Ethan has left.