ログイン共有
Chapter Five: Until My Last Breath
公開日:
2026-07-22 12:45:40Two Months Later
The Cole Estate New York City Adrian Cole — 27 Marcus Bennett — 28 Sarah Bennett — 26 Kai Bennett — 8 Eleanor Cole — 26 ⸻ People often said weddings were chaotic. They were wrong. Chaos implied there was some sort of order trying to exist. This… This was complete madness. “Where are the rings?” “I had them!” “No, you gave them to Sarah.” “I absolutely did not!” “I watched you!” Marcus rubbed both hands over his face. “It is eight o’clock in the morning.” “Why is everyone shouting already?” ⸻ Upstairs… Eleanor stood in front of the mirror. The room buzzed around her. Bridesmaids adjusted her veil. Someone fixed the train of her dress. Someone else searched for a missing earring. Yet Eleanor barely noticed any of it. She simply stared at her reflection. Sarah appeared behind her. “Nervous?” “A little.” Sarah smiled. “Good.” Eleanor frowned. “Good?” “It means this matters.” Sarah stepped beside her. “You know…” “The first time Adrian came to dinner after meeting you…” Eleanor looked over. “…he smiled before he even walked through the door.” “He did?” Sarah nodded. “He didn’t even realize he was smiling.” A tear escaped Eleanor’s eye before she could stop it. “I don’t deserve him.” Sarah immediately shook her head. “No.” “You don’t say that.” Eleanor looked down. “You deserve each other.” ⸻ Across the estate… Adrian adjusted his cufflinks for what felt like the hundredth time. Marcus watched him from the doorway. “I’ve seen you negotiate billion-dollar mergers.” Adrian didn’t answer. “I’ve seen you stand in front of investors who wanted your company.” Still nothing. Marcus grinned. “But one wedding has you terrified.” Adrian exhaled slowly. “What if she changes her mind?” Marcus blinked. “…You’re serious.” “What if she realizes she could’ve done better?” Marcus burst into laughter. Adrian frowned. “I’m glad my panic amuses you.” Marcus walked over and straightened Adrian’s tie. “Listen to me.” Adrian met his eyes. “That woman looked at you…” “…and chose you.” “Not your money.” “Not your name.” “You.” Marcus smiled. “So stop overthinking.” “For once in your life…” “…just be happy.” ⸻ Outside… Kai stood proudly in front of a full-length mirror. His tiny black tuxedo fit perfectly. The sunglasses, however… Were enormous. Marcus looked at him. “You know you’re indoors.” Kai nodded. “I know.” “So why are you wearing sunglasses?” “’Cause Uncle Adrian said I have an important job.” “And important people wear sunglasses.” Marcus sighed. “I suppose they do.” Kai grinned. “I look cool.” “You look like a tiny bodyguard.” “I AM.” ⸻ Guests filled every seat. Soft music drifted through the gardens. White roses lined the aisle. The afternoon breeze carried the scent of lavender. Adrian stood at the altar. His hands trembled. Marcus leaned closer. “Breathe.” “I’m trying.” “You look like you’re about to faint.” “I might.” ⸻ Then… The music changed. Every conversation stopped. Every head turned. Eleanor appeared at the end of the aisle. For a moment… Time forgot how to move. She wasn’t simply beautiful. She was home. Adrian felt something tighten painfully in his chest. Marcus looked at him. “You okay?” Adrian didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His entire world was walking toward him. ⸻ Kai walked proudly ahead of Eleanor. Halfway down the aisle… He stopped. Everyone frowned. Kai turned around. Looked at Eleanor. Then back at Adrian. He hurried the rest of the way. “Uncle Adrian.” Adrian leaned down. “What is it?” Kai whispered loudly enough for the front rows to hear, “You still can’t marry me?” A heartbeat of silence. Then… Laughter swept through the entire garden. Even the officiant laughed. Adrian kissed Kai’s forehead. “I’m still only allowed one.” Kai sighed dramatically. “I had to check.” ⸻ The ceremony continued. When it came time for the vows… Adrian took Eleanor’s hands. His voice shook. “I spent my whole life believing strength meant standing alone.” He smiled through tears. “Then I met you.” “You taught me that love isn’t loud.” “It isn’t perfect.” “It isn’t found in grand gestures.” “It’s Sunday breakfasts.” “It’s waiting up for each other.” “It’s laughing over burnt cookies.” “It’s choosing the same person…” “…every single day.” A tear slipped down Eleanor’s cheek. “And I promise…” “…to choose you.” “Every morning.” “Every evening.” “Every ordinary day in between.” “For as long as I live.” ⸻ When Eleanor began her vows… Even Marcus had to look away. “You once told me…” “…that you didn’t know how to stop working.” She smiled. “So I made it my mission…” “…to teach you how to come home.” She squeezed his hands. “I promise…” “…to keep reminding you.” “No matter how busy life becomes…” “…there will always be someone waiting.” “You’ll never have to carry the world alone again.” ⸻ “I now pronounce you…” “…husband and wife.” Applause erupted. Adrian didn’t wait. He pulled Eleanor into his arms. And kissed her. Cheers echoed through the gardens. Kai covered his eyes dramatically. “Eww.” Marcus laughed. “You wanted to marry him five minutes ago.” “That was before the kissing.” ⸻ That evening… The reception glowed beneath thousands of warm lights. Music filled the air. Laughter floated across the gardens. Kai danced with Sarah. Marcus teased Adrian relentlessly. Eleanor looked happier than she’d ever been. As the night wore on… She stepped onto the balcony overlooking the celebration. Adrian joined her moments later. “Running away from your own wedding?” She smiled. “Just needed a minute.” He wrapped an arm around her waist. They watched the lights below in comfortable silence. Then Eleanor rested a hand over his. “Promise me something.” “Anything.” “No matter what life throws at us…” “…don’t stop loving like this.” Adrian kissed her forehead. “I couldn’t.” “Not even if I tried.” Far below… The music continued. The laughter echoed. The stars shone brightly above them. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Before you go… 🥹❤️ If this chapter made you smile, laugh, cry, or even scream, please vote, leave a review, and drop a comment! I read every single one, and they truly encourage me to keep writing. Thank you for being part of this journey. See you in the next chapter! 🤍
最新チャプター
Promises We Never Forget Chapter Thirteen: The Decision
New York City Adrian Cole — 36 Marcus Bennett — 37 Sarah Bennett — 35 Kai Bennett — 17 ⸻ “I don’t want to go.” The words settled over the dining room like a storm cloud. Nobody spoke. Not because they didn’t know what to say. Because they hadn’t expected those words. The scholarship letter still lay open on the table. A letter students across the country dreamed of receiving. A full scholarship. Tuition. Accommodation. Books. Living expenses. Everything. Sarah looked from the letter to her son. “Kai…” “You’ve worked so hard for this.” Kai stared down at his untouched dinner. “I know.” Marcus leaned back in his chair. His expression calm. Too calm. “Then help me understand.” Kai remained silent. “Why don’t you want to go?” A long pause. “I just don’t.” Marcus sighed. “That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one I’ve got.” ⸻ The silence stretched. Until Sarah quietly reached across the table. She rested her hand o
Promises We Never Forget Chapter Twelve: The World Beyond Home
Three Months Later New York City Adrian Cole — 36 Marcus Bennett — 37 Sarah Bennett — 35 Kai Bennett — 17 ⸻ The Bennett household had developed a new routine. Every evening after dinner… The dining table disappeared beneath a mountain of papers. University brochures. Application forms. Recommendation letters. Scholarship requirements. Deadlines highlighted in different colors. Sarah called it organized. Marcus called it controlled chaos. Kai called it torture. ⸻ “I have another essay.” Marcus didn’t even look up from his laptop. “Good.” “I’ve already written six.” “Then you’re getting better.” “I’ve had enough.” “You’ll survive.” Kai groaned dramatically before letting his forehead fall onto the dining table. “I think college applications were invented to punish teenagers.” Sarah laughed as she placed a plate of sliced fruit in front of him. “No.” “They were invented to prepare teenagers.” “For what?” “Suffering.” Even Marcus couldn’t stop himself from
Promises We Never Forget Chapter Eleven: Someone Important
One Year Later New York City Adrian Cole — 36 Marcus Bennett — 37 Sarah Bennett — 35 Kai Bennett — 17 ⸻ Seventeen. According to Marcus Bennett… It was the age where boys suddenly believed they knew everything. According to Sarah… It was the age where they still needed reminding to take their laundry downstairs. According to Adrian… It was the age where the future stopped feeling distant. It started asking questions. Questions no one else could answer for you. What do you want to become? Who do you want to be? What kind of life do you want to build? Kai had begun asking himself those questions more often than he admitted. ⸻ His final year of high school arrived faster than anyone expected. Football training became more intense. Exams became more demanding. University brochures covered the dining table almost every weekend. Marcus had opinions. Sarah had concerns. Kai had headaches. ⸻ One Saturday afternoon… The entire Bennett family was sitting in the back
Promises We Never Forget Chapter Ten: The Promise He Couldn’t Keep
Four Years Later New York City Adrian Cole — 35 Marcus Bennett — 36 Sarah Bennett — 34 Kai Bennett — 16 ⸻ Time had a funny way of changing people. It stretched little boys into young men. Turned scraped knees into football trophies. Replaced cartoons with textbooks. Replaced bedtime stories with late-night study sessions. But some things… Never changed. Every Sunday, Adrian still showed up at the Bennett house. Sarah still made enough food to feed an army. Marcus still insisted he was the king of the barbecue despite burning something every single time. And Kai… Kai still announced to anyone willing to listen that one day, he was going to marry Adrian. Marcus had long since given up arguing. Sarah simply laughed. Adrian always answered the same way. “I’ll let you know when the application opens.” Kai would grin. “I’ll be first in line.” ⸻ At sixteen… Kai had grown into a confident teenager. Already taller than Sarah. Almost eye-to-eye with Marcus. His sho
Promises We Never Forget Chapter Nine: The Family That Refused To Let Go
One Year Later New York City Adrian Cole — 31 Marcus Bennett — 32 Sarah Bennett — 30 Kai Bennett — 12 ⸻ The silence in Adrian’s apartment had become familiar. Too familiar. There were mornings he woke up expecting to hear another heartbeat beside him. Instead… There was only the hum of the air conditioner. He no longer reached for Eleanor. He had taught himself not to. Some habits died slower than others. ⸻ Work became his language. He arrived before sunrise. He left long after midnight. The employees at Aiden Corp joked that the CEO didn’t have a home. They weren’t entirely wrong. ⸻ One Friday evening… Adrian was halfway through reviewing another acquisition report when someone knocked once before walking into his office. Marcus. Without looking up, Adrian sighed. “I’m busy.” Marcus dropped a paper bag onto the desk. “I brought burgers.” “I’m still busy.” “I know.” “I’m not leaving.” “I know.” Marcus pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down. “I
Promises We Never Forget Chapter 8: The Day Their World Stopped (Part Two)
The funeral was private. That was what Eleanor wanted. No cameras. No flowers from business associates. No reporters. No public condolences. Just family. Marcus. Sarah. Kai. And two parents saying goodbye to the child they never got to bring home. ⸻ Kai didn’t understand everything. He was only eleven. He knew the baby wasn’t coming anymore. He knew Aunt Eleanor cried whenever she thought nobody was looking. He knew Adrian had stopped smiling. But he couldn’t understand why. He had spent months drawing pictures for the baby. He had already decided they would support the same football team. He had even saved one of his favorite stuffed bears because babies weren’t supposed to sleep alone. Now… The bear sat untouched in his bedroom. Waiting for someone who would never come. ⸻ The house was unbearably quiet. Not because it was empty. Because it was full of things no one could bear to touch. The nursery door remained closed. Neither of them opened it. Not for
あなたも気に入るかもしれません
