Rewriting My Broken Vows

CHAPTER 2

The Morning After Death

POV: Aria

I already possess the pen.

I don't think I picked it up.

I feel safe and light holding it, but it's heavy than anything I've ever felt.

With a soft voice, Ethan tells them, "Go on." "It's just a formality."

Getting formal.

That word makes me sick to my stomach.

I examine the document in front of me. My name is written neatly at the bottom and is ready for me to sign. The lines above it get fuzzy for a moment.

I can see, so no.

My memory is good.

This is the same table.

The identical pen.

The same voice that is calm.

What happened next. "Aria?" Vanessa asks, leaning in closer. Her voice is sweet and almost playful. "You're overthinking things again."

I open my eyes.

View of the room returns.

Lighting that shines. There is soft music going on behind your back. A workplace that is calm and seems welcoming. Overly nice.

It's not dirty enough.

Excellent.

Take a deep breath and look up.

I can see Ethan smiling at me. Feeling warm. Do not rush. It was that smile that made me feel safe.

The pain in my chest is getting worse.

There is Vanessa next to him, and she has one hand on the back of his chair. Close. Comfortable.

Feeling too comfortable. "You trust me, right?" It interests Ethan.

The question is soft.

I can't get rid of the sound in my head, though.

It's someone else speaking.

That was an error on your part.

I have a firm grip on the pen.

I remember it right away—

Breaking of glass.

Bleeding.

Vanessa made a calm face.

Ethan departs.

I speed up my breathing and put down the pen.

It shocks the table very loudly.

Stopping, both of them ask, "Aria?" Ethan's smile gets a little smaller. "What's wrong?"

While I'm thinking, I quickly push my chair back, and the legs hit the floor.

"I... I can't do this."

Nothing is happening in this room.

Vanessa takes a deep breath. "What do you mean?"

It makes me shrug, and I get up from the table. "I need to read it first."

Somewhat amused, Ethan laughs. "No," I say again, this time with more force. "You already did." "Not right."

A little less light comes into his eyes.

"It's not hard," he remarks. "We did it together this morning."

"Then you won't mind if I do it again," I say searchingly.

The room is not the same anymore.

There is no longer any heat.

She crosses her arms slowly. It's not safe for you to do this, Aria. "I'm not scared," you say.

She draws near and says, "You are." "It's a big step." That makes sense.

I can see her.

Watch her closely.

The look in her eyes is very sharp. Searching. Holding on.

Getting the numbers.

I whisper, "You're trying too hard."

She flickers. "What?" "You both are."

At my approach, Ethan sits back in his chair and looks at me. "Where is this coming from?"

Thoughtful question.

For the reason that I died.

Simply because I understand what will happen if I sign.

Because everything is clear in my mind.

Unfortunately, I can't say that.

Oh no, not yet."Let me check what I'm signing," I say instead.

Someone tells you, "That's not like you."

It makes me almost smile."I know that."

That stops her in her tracks.

Ethan taps the table lightly with his fingers because he is getting impatient. "Aria, we don't have time for this." They are waiting for the lawyer. "I don't care."

I can't alter the words before they are spoken.

Nothing is happening in this room.

Things get darker for Ethan.

It's like, "Excuse me?"

In response, I say, "I said I don't care," this time more clearly. "I should read it if it's important." Completely every word.

A little breath is taken by Vanessa. "You're being hard."

"Maybe I should."

She purses her lips.

The chair behind Ethan moves back as he slowly gets up.

He comes up to me in a peaceful, steady way.

Unsafe.

Right in front of me, he stops and calls out, "Aria." "Look at me."

I do not wish to do it.

Although I do.

He looks straight at me like he's looking for something.

He inquires, "What altered?" I answer, "Everything.""I became older."

Somewhat, his face changes.

After that, it goes away.

"You're overthinking," he tells her. "This is about us." Our next step.

The next step for us.

There is something wrong with the words.

Lots.

For example, lying.

"Today I'm not going to sign," I say.

Vanessa quickly turns her head to look at me. "What?"

"I'm not going to sign," I say again.

Ethan's jaw begins to hurt.

I disagree with what you said.

Somewhat I move my head. "Then how does it work?"

"You said yes."

"I changed my mind."

"You can't just—" "I can."

The distance between us is sharp.

Vanessa jumps in right away. "Stop, Aria." You're an i***t.

I consider her.

I say, "No," in a soft voice.

Although she laughs, it doesn't sound real. "You are.""Acting this way for no reason—" "No reason?" I asked.

The sound of my voice is still there.

But something is burning inside me.

I state, "This paper makes all the decisions." "And you call it nothing?"

For some reason, Ethan takes a deep breath and holds it for a while.

The man tells her, "You're making a scene."

"Then I guess I should go."

That surprises him.

This person says, "You wouldn't."

Something is missing from my speech.

I don't talk to him and just walk by.

Right up to the door.

I'm not scared, but my heart is beating fast again.

Because of something else.

Assume responsibility.

"Aria," Ethan says from behind me, his voice cooler now. "Things will change if you leave that door."

I'm finished.

Excellent.

Permit them to.

Somewhat tilting my head, I look at them.

Vanessa no longer smiles.

The eyes of Ethan are very sharp.

Searching.

Holding on.

The door is open.

The hallway is open to the light.

Sparkly.

It is obvious.

Differences. "Let them change," I advise.

Personally, I leave.

It closes

behind me.

I commence to hearing Ethan's words. It's not gentle or soft anymore.

Not all that high.

You should "learn what she knows."