A Prison Built From Broken Promises

On our wedding anniversary, in a private cabin deep in the forests of Oregon, my husband, Neil Callahan, abandoned me again for his "soulmate."

"I can't do this anymore," I told the system. "I'm so tired."

The song I was writing for him would remain unfinished, a melody for an empty space in his heart I could never fill.

The system offered a way out: if I died in this world, I could escape the mission and return to my own.

The first time, I climbed onto the ledge of the St. Johns Bridge in Portland, ready to jump. Neil saved me, only to accuse me of doing it all for attention.

The second time, I washed down half a bottle of prescription painkillers with the expensive red wine he had bought. He’d burst in at the last second, crushing me to his chest and sobbing that he knew he was wrong.

But a third time always comes. And a fourth. And a fifth. Doesn't it?

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1

Today was our third wedding anniversary. For once, Neil was warm, even thoughtful, planning a surprise for me at a remote cabin in the woods.

Just as I was about to make a wish on the dancing flames in the fireplace, his phone rang.

"Sorry, I have to take this," he murmured, the ghost of our last kiss still on his lips.

I nodded, watching him answer the phone. "Hello?"

Tatum Grant's frantic voice erupted from the phone, choked with tears. "Neil! Eloise is having a panic attack on Mount Hood! She wandered off a trail and now she's lost, all alone!"

After a burst of static from a bad signal, Eloise Sutton's broken sobs came through. "Neil, are you with her? You... you didn't forget about me, did you?" Her voice was so fragile it sounded like it might shatter. "I knew it... I knew she'd keep you from me..."

The color drained from Neil's face. "Eloise, calm down! I'm on my way—"

I instinctively grabbed his wrist. "Neil, she can call the park rangers. They can track her location..."

Tatum's voice rose to a shriek. "Is Wren there? Is she trying to stop you? Eloise could be dying, Neil, and you're letting her get in the way?"

"That's enough, Tatum," Neil snapped, his voice tight with impatience. He turned to me. "Eloise is in danger."

"Wren, please try to understand," he pleaded, his voice softening as he reached for my cheek. "I promise, I'll be back as soon as I can."

I turned my head, avoiding his touch. I could smell the phantom scent of another woman's perfume clinging to his fingertips.

Tatum's scream pierced the receiver again. "Hurry, Neil! Eloise said if you don't come right now, she's going to—"

Neil's eyes flared with alarm. "Wren, we can celebrate our anniversary another day. Eloise needs me. If something happens to her, I'll never forgive myself." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I swear, after this is over, I'll spend all my time with you."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "You said that last time. And the time before."

"I mean it this time." He gripped my shoulders, but his gaze had already drifted to the door. "I swear, as soon as Eloise's condition—"

Before he could finish, Tatum shrieked into the phone, "You cold-hearted bitch, Wren! Does torturing a sick woman make you feel powerful?"

As she spoke, Eloise’s short, frantic gasps crackled over the line. "Neil, I… I can’t breathe…"

"Eloise! Eloise, hang on!" Neil yelled into the phone, his usual composure shattered.

After a faint cry for help, the line went dead.

Tatum burst into sobs. "The signal's gone! Something must have happened to her! You have to get over here right now!"

A ghostly whisper of Eloise's voice breathed through the static. "Neil... save me..."

Neil took a deep breath. "Wait for me at home, okay? I'll be back as soon as I can."

The door slammed shut. I spoke into the empty room, my voice hollow. "If you walk out that door, we're done."

The only response was the roar of a car engine fading into the distance.

I stared at the untouched dinner and spoke to the system in my head. "I give up."

There was a time a broken promise would have tormented Neil all night, would have had him rushing home to beg for my forgiveness.

When did keeping a promise to me become such an inconvenience?