Loving You shattered My Heart

The Letter

Edward Pov

For the next few days, I focused mostly on my work, trying to immerse myself in the never-ending tasks that demanded my attention. Deep down, I knew it was a distraction—a way to avoid facing the reality of my tangled emotions.

Throughout all this, I kept disconnecting Vivian's calls and texts. I couldn't bear to hear her voice and face the guilt that consumed me. The guilt of not only betraying her but also betraying myself

I questioned my choices as my days became a blur of files and spreadsheets.

Why doesn't Grandfather understand that my heart has been torn in two?

How could he expect me to let go of my love for Vivian because I was now engaged to someone else?

I yearned to seek solace in the familiarity of my parents' voices, hoping they would understand my turmoil. But every attempt to reach out to them was met with a disappointing disconnection.

Grandfather must have gotten to them, too, instructing them to ignore my desperate pleas.

With each unanswered call, my resolve weakened. Grandfather's influence over my family was unfathomable, and it seemed he would stop at nothing to ensure I willingly walked down the aisle with Nadine.

It was as if he believed that a loveless marriage was a small price to pay for maintaining the reputation and legacy of our family.

But as the days passed, a newfound determination began to flicker within me. I refused to let my Grandfather dictate my destiny. I refused to sacrifice my happiness for the sake of tradition and appearances.

Summoning all my courage, I made a decision. I would confront Grandfather face to face, allowing him to understand the depth of my love for Vivian.

I would make him see that no societal expectations or familial pressures could change what was truly in my heart.

With each step toward Grandfather's imposing estate, my heartbeat echoed in my ears. I rehearsed my arguments, knowing they would be met with resistance and anger. But I had to try. I had to fight for my happiness.

Entering the grand foyer, I braced myself for the showdown. The atmosphere was tense as Grandfather stood before me, his stern gaze piercing my wavering resolve.

"Grandfather," I began, my voice laced with determination. "I refuse to marry Nadine. My heart belongs to Vivian, and no manipulation or interference can change that."

Grandfather's face contorted with anger, his voice booming through the halls as he tried to assert his authority over me. But I stood my ground, unwavering in my conviction.

As the dust settled, I realized that my plea had struck a chord with Grandfather. Beneath his hardened exterior was a man who, deep down, wanted nothing but his family's happiness.

At that moment, I saw a glimmer of understanding flicker in his eyes. After a couple of days of pleading, Grandfather finally agreed to my request.

In the end, love conquered all. It bridged the gap between generations and shattered the expectations that had weighed on my shoulders.

Grandfather had come to understand that true love could not be forced or suppressed, and I am eternally grateful for that. Finally, Grandfather understood that Vivian meant the world to him.

As I headed towards Vivian's house, my heart swelled with anticipation. Our love had withstood countless challenges, and I believed nothing could come between us now. Little did I know, something awaited me that I was not expecting.

As I entered Vivian's house, her mother greeted me sorrowfully. Something was amiss. She invited me to sit down, and with a heavy sigh, she began to explain.

Vivian had heard about the engagement, which shattered her heart into a million pieces. Unable to bear the pain, she had taken a drastic step.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened. How could Vivian think that I would ever give up on our relationship?

Frantically, I reached for my phone to prove my innocence. But before I could, Vivian's mother interrupted, informing me that Vivian had asked her to relay a message.

"She tried to call you repeatedly," Vivian's mother said, her voice filled with regret.

"But you never answered. Vivian understood it as a confirmation of the engagement, and it broke her. Broken-hearted, she left home, saying that she would never return."

Shock gripped me as her mother's words sank in.

How could I have been so blind?

Vivian had tried to reach out and seek the truth, and I had unknowingly pushed her away. Guilt washed over me, mixing with the anguish in my heart.

Determined to set things right, I sprang and rushed out of the house. I had to find Vivian and apologize for my silence. I had to make her understand that she was the one I truly loved, not the person this mistaken engagement suggested.

I searched high and low, tirelessly scouring every corner of the town, desperately seeking any trace of Vivian. But no matter where I turned, she had vanished without a trace.

Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no news regarding Vivian.

The frustration and worry began to take their toll on me. I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't eat. I saw Vivian's face everywhere, smiling back at me in photographs and memories.

The uncertainty gnawed at my soul, and I teetered on the edge of despair.

I sought solace at the bottom of a bottle during those agonizing days. Alcohol became my daily companion, a numbing elixir that kept me from going insane. I drowned my sorrows each night, hoping to dull the pain of not knowing.

But as the weeks passed, my addiction grew stronger. The alcohol consumed me, transforming me from a distraction into a crutch. I became a mere shadow of who I once was, lost in a haze of drunkenness and self-pity.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my Grandfather had taken it upon himself to make arrangements for my future. He had started preparations for my marriage to Nadine.

And so, the day of the wedding arrived. As I stumbled through the ceremony, my mind cloudy and my senses dulled, I couldn't help but feel a deep emptiness. I stood at the altar, waiting for a woman I barely knew, while my heart continued to yearn for Vivian's presence.

As I exchanged vows with Nadine, a heavy weight settled on my shoulders, amplifying the guilt and confusion that had haunted me for weeks.

I was trapped in a life I didn't want, bound to someone who could never replace the love I had lost.

Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of Vivian.

She had become a distant memory, fading with each passing day. But the ache in my heart remained, a constant reminder of the love that had slipped through my fingers.

Amid the haze and despair, a glimmer of hope emerged. It was a letter sent to me. The familiar handwriting sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins as I eagerly tore open the envelope.

Vivian's words spilled onto the page, recounting her journey, struggles, and love for me. She had never left willingly; circumstances had forced her hand.

As I unfolded the fragile paper, my heart tightened with curiosity and dread. The words written in neat cursive confirmed my worst fears: Grandfather had appeared to Vivian one day, his presence threatening and menacing.

He demanded that she leave me and the country, or her family would suffer grave consequences. My hands trembled as I reread those chilling lines, struggling to comprehend the depth of the situation.

"Edward, I'm sorry, but I must leave for my family's sake," the letter continued, the anguish clear in every pen stroke. My mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—shock, betrayal, and anger surged through me.

How could Grandfather, the man I had revered and respected, stoop to such cruelty?

And how had I been so blind to the torment Vivian had silently endured?

Regret washed over me like a wave, drenching me in guilt. Vivian had always been there for me. I cursed my obliviousness, berating myself for not perceiving the subtle signs of distress that had surely been etched across her face during our recent encounters.