All Chapters of Before We Broke: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

It began in silence.Not the absence of sound, but the kind of silence that hums—like the quiet you feel deep in water or moments before lightning. Lila stood barefoot in a vast field of night, where the stars burned brighter than she’d ever seen and the air pulsed with warmth, heavy with some unnamed promise.She didn’t remember falling asleep. But she knew—instantly, undeniably—that this wasn’t the waking world.She wore something soft. Lighter than silk. A dress? No… not exactly. The fabric clung to her like mist, flowing behind her as she walked. Every movement felt slower, more graceful. Like her body understood something her mind hadn’t caught up to yet.Then, she felt him.Before she saw him.That heat, that shift in the air—like gravity tilting in his direction.Anthony.He stood at the edge of the field, leaning against a stone arch that hadn’t been there seconds ago. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, sleeves rolled to his elbows. His expression was unreadable, but his eye

The futon creaked softly beneath them, a whisper of sound in the darkened living room. Nicole had long retreated to her room after an evening of laughter, cupcakes, and whispered gossip—leaving Lila and Anthony alone under the dim glow of the kitchen nightlight. A quiet hum filled the air: the fridge, the hum of the air conditioner, the sound of Lila’s breath as she laid curled beside him.Her birthday had ended, but something new had begun.Anthony’s arm was draped protectively over her waist, his hand resting lightly against her stomach beneath the blanket. His touch wasn’t demanding—it was reverent. She could feel the weight of everything unspoken between them in the way his thumb traced slow, soothing circles across her skin.“I can’t believe I’m seventeen,” she whispered.He chuckled softly into her hair. “I can. You’ve been seventeen in your soul forever.”She turned slightly in his arms, just enough to meet his eyes. The quiet intimacy of the moment made her bold. “What does th

The smell of coffee drifted from the kitchen, warm and familiar, mingling with the soft golden light pooling across the hardwood floor. It was early, the kind of early that made everything feel quieter, like the world hadn’t fully woken up yet. Nicole clanked dishes around with the half-conscious effort of someone trying not to wake anyone—unsuccessfully.Lila stirred beneath the blanket, her lashes fluttering before she opened her eyes to the sight of Anthony’s face beside hers. He was already awake, watching her like she was some rare, untouchable thing.A curl had fallen over her cheek, and he brushed it back with the gentlest touch. “Time to face the world?”She let out a sleepy, reluctant sigh but gave a small nod, sitting up slowly. The blanket slipped off her shoulders, along with Anthony’s oversized hoodie, revealing the thin strap of her tank top—and the delicate silver cross that rested just above her heart.His eyes flicked down, lingered, then met hers again.“You look lik

Anthony didn’t tell her where they were going.The drive wound them out of the city and into rolling green hills that blurred past the window in long strokes of summer color. The road narrowed to gravel, and then to nothing more than two tire tracks in the grass.“You’re taking me to be murdered, aren’t you?” she teased lightly, trying to disguise her curiosity.His grin was small but sure. “You’ll live. Trust me.”The path ended at a gate, half-hidden by an overgrown arch of wild honeysuckle. Anthony stepped out, swung it open, and drove them through. When the truck stopped again, Lila followed him out into air that smelled faintly of rain and blooming things.Nestled in the clearing was a tiny cabin—weathered wood, white trim, and a porch big enough for two rocking chairs. Behind it, she could hear the soft rush of water.“This is…” She trailed off, searching for the word.“Mine,” he said simply. “Built it with my uncle last summer. Figured I’d keep it

The first thing Lila noticed when she woke was the quiet.Not the heavy silence of an empty house, but the soft, living quiet of the woods—birds calling in the distance, the faint rush of the waterfall, the creak of the old cabin settling against the morning chill.The second thing she noticed was that Anthony was still beside her.He was on his side, one arm resting loosely around her waist, his breathing steady and slow. His hair was a little messy, falling over his forehead, and in the pale morning light, the shadows along his jaw looked sharper, more defined. She took a moment just to look at him, memorizing the way he seemed… unguarded like this. Almost boyish.She tried not to move, afraid to break the moment, but her shifting must have stirred him. His eyes opened, still heavy with sleep, and for a heartbeat he just looked at her without speaking.“Morning,” he murmured, voice rough.“Morning.” She smiled, her voice soft to match his. “Did you sleep ok