SHATTERED VOWS, UNBROKEN HEART

Chapter 2: Between Duty and Heartbreak

I stared out the window of my office, the city lights beginning to flicker as the sun sank beneath

the horizon. The view was breathtaking — tall buildings, endless traffic, the rhythm of life

moving on. But inside, I felt frozen. Stuck.

My thoughts wandered to Brylle again. Where was he tonight? Probably in another late meeting.

Or maybe, with one of those secretaries he’s been so fond of lately. I shook my head, hating

myself for even thinking that way.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Ma’am Ayla, here’s the report you asked for,” my assistant said, handing me a folder.

“Thank you, Janine,” I replied with a small smile. As she left, I sank into my chair, clutching the

folder but not really seeing it.

It wasn’t just about the company anymore. It was about us. Brylle and me.

Once, we would have dinner together, no matter how late. Once, he would drop by my office just

to steal a few minutes with me. Now, even when we were in the same building, it felt like we

were miles apart.

That night, I decided to wait for him. I stayed late, pretending to finish work. But deep down, I

was hoping — foolishly hoping — that he’d come in, smile at me like before, and say, “Let’s go

home, Ayla.”

But he didn’t.

I watched the clock tick past 9 PM. 10 PM. Finally, I gave up. I packed my things, forced a smile

at the guards as I left, and drove home alone.

Our house — no, our mansion — greeted me with silence. The kind of silence that echoed

through every hallway, reminding me of what I had lost.

I changed into my nightclothes and stood by our bedroom doors. His room, down the hall, had

its light on. I almost knocked. Almost. But I didn’t. I didn’t know what to say anymore.

“Goodnight, Brylle,” I whispered, knowing he wouldn’t hear.

As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I wondered how long I could keep choosing duty

over my own heart. How long could I stay strong for a man who no longer seemed to see me?

But no matter how much it hurt, I knew the answer.

As long as I loved him.

And God help me, I still did.