The Vows We Shatter

Chapter3

Erika’s POV

“Felix?” I uttered.

He walked toward me, adjusting his suit.

He had changed so much. He looked…manlier. Broader shoulders, sharper jawline, but the same icy blue pair of eyes I got lost in when I was 17.

It’s been nine years already, and I still felt that little flutter.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Weston sent me here,” he paused. “He was busy in the theater.”

I rolled my eyes. “Typical.”

Of course, my ‘always’ busy older brother was busy again, but this time he sent his best friend to me, like I was just some assignment he had to take care of.

Partially, it was my fault. Ever since the incident two years ago, he moved to Chicago and never came back.

I was naive. But now, that cost me my brother and my marriage.

Felix didn’t say anything. He just studied me from where he was standing.

That made my stomach turn.

His eyes softened slightly, but there was still wariness in them.

“I… you look terrible,” he said finally. “What happened?” He paused, “Is Josh here?”

I looked up at him and hesitated.

I didn’t want to tell him everything. Josh, Monica, divorce… the pregnancy.

None of it had a place in polite conversation.

But he already knew I was alone, so I couldn’t hide everything. I could tell him about my divorce. I swallowed. My pregnancy but certainly not Josh and Monica.

“I came home,” I began, my voice trembling, “and Josh… he handed me divorce papers.”

Felix’s eyebrows shot up. “Divorce?”

I nodded, biting my lip. “Because one night… Monica and I went out, ran into my ex… I don’t even remember how it happened. I just woke up in a hotel room. And when I got back… he gave me the papers.”

Felix’s jaw tightened, and he looked genuinely shocked. “And you… you’re telling me this now?”

I hadn’t even told my own brother.

“I didn’t know who else to tell,” I admitted, my voice small. “I just… I needed someone who wasn’t him to understand. Can you… can you just get me out of this hospital tonight?”

He paused, considering. “Anywhere?”

I nodded. “Anywhere.”

“But why are you in a hospital bed?” he asked. My heart rate doubled.

“I’m…uh…I’m going to tell you, but you have to promise me that you'll keep this between us…for now.” I proposed.

I saw something tick in his jaw, like he was doing something wrong.

“I promise.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “I’m pregnant. Two weeks pregnant.”

“What?” Felix blurted.

I opened my eyes back. “Yes, I am.”

He didn’t look happy. He looked…stunned.

“What’s going on?” I asked, worried.

I could take a guess. The incident.

“I’m so sorry, I zoned out. Congratulations.” He forced a smile or that was his actual smile. I didn’t know. Felix didn’t smile much. “This is such great news. Does Josh know?”

“He does, but-”

“But? But what?” His eyes darkened.

“Just…just get me out of here. Please.”

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, then finally gave a small nod. “Alright. Let me make a few calls, and we'll be right on our way out of here,” he moved closer to me. “But are you okay?”

I stared into his eyes. “I’ll be okay, as long as my baby is okay.”

Before he could move, my eyes flicked to the inaudible TV in the corner.

Something told me to glance at it.

My heart nearly stopped.

The screen was filled with Josh and Monica.

He was on one holding her hand; she was smiling too widely.

I saw her mouth a loud yes.

Engagement announcement. Diamond rings.

Just like he did for me too.

My heart dropped. I couldn’t dare to look at Felix.

My cheeks turned tomato red from embarrassment.

The headlines scrolling across the bottom read: ‘Power Couple of the Year: Josh Allen and Monica Reed’.

I felt my stomach drop.

Felix cursed under his breath. “What the-? That doesn’t make sense.”

“It does,” I said softly. “I told you — we got divorced. That’s why he’s free to… do that.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I thought Josh was the father of the baby. Why is he getting married to another woman? And isn’t that your best friend?.”

“He is, and she was,” I admitted, my throat tightening. “I don’t understand it either. But it’s over now. I just… I just want to leave.”

Felix shook his head, disbelief and sympathy mixing in his face. “I can’t believe she did this to you… and him. And Josh - he’s… dangerous.”

I gave him a tired look. “You don’t need to tell me. I know.”

He studied me quietly, then nodded, like he’d made a decision. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get you out of here.”

The hospital process was quick. And soon enough, we were out of there.

Felix draped his jacket over my shoulders, steadying me.

His car ride was silent, but I didn’t mind.

I just stared out the window, staring at no particular thing as my mind replayed the last two years. Josh, Monica, my betrayal, my choices… Weston. My brother. The man I had lost by being too naive, too trusting, too foolish.

I just wanted this nightmare of a night to end.

Finally, we reached Felix’s penthouse.

It was huge, compared to Josh’s house.

I followed him upstairs.

He directed me to a huge bedroom.

My chest softened.

“You can take the guest room,” he said quietly, dropping my bag.

“Thank you so much,” I looked up at him. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Felix shook his head. “It’s fine, it’s the least I can do for my best friend’s sister.”

My heart fluttered.

Suddenly, I am 17 again. Watching Felix play soccer with my brother in his backyard. The way his hair was always tousled to the right made my heart skip.

He was in our house most of the time, giving me opportunities to lurk around or take unaware pictures of him, if I was lucky enough.

He was three years older than me and built like a Greek god.

“Erika?” Felix called.

Only then did I notice he had been calling me while I was too busy daydreaming about his muscles.

“Yes…yes,” I snapped back.

“I think you need to rest now.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted.

“No,” he said firmly. “You’re not fine. You’re going to sleep, and tomorrow…tomorrow we’re flying to Chicago, to meet Weston.”

My heart skipped. “Meet him?”

He gave me a flat, serious look. “Yes. He wants to see you.”

I blinked, shocked. “He… he wants to see me?”

Felix’s jaw tightened. “You have no idea what you’ve avoided these past two years. He hasn’t stopped worrying about you. He just… can’t come himself. Not yet.”

I swallowed hard.

The familiar pang of guilt struck my chest.

I didn’t know if I could face him. But I wanted to see him. Really bad.

“I understand.” I forced a smile at Felix. “Thank you so much again.”

“It’s fine. Go rest now, so we won’t miss our flight. There’s a telephone beside you, call whenever you need anything. Anything at all.”

I mouthed, thank you. He nodded and left.

I sank into bed. I was exhausted.

Then my phone buzzed on the bedside table. I froze.

A message flashed on the screen:

“I’m going to destroy you.”

My fingers trembled as I read it.

I didn’t recognize the number. I didn't know who sent it. But I know it never ends.

I pressed my forehead onto the pillow, letting the tears I had held back finally fall.

The world outside could wait.

For once, I had nowhere to run, but at least, for now, I wasn’t alone. Felix was here. Tomorrow, I will see Weston.

And I would have to face all the consequences of the choices I had made.