A Prison Built From Broken Promises

"For now..." he lowered his voice, "can you just... be understanding?"

His eyes were full of pleading. "Eloise really needs me. This is just temporary, okay?"

I listened to his so-called explanation in silence, turning my head to stare blankly at the ceiling.

His words seemed to come from a great distance, muffled and distorted, yet they still wormed their way into my ears.

I managed a soft "Mm," my voice hoarse and barely my own.

The numbness of severe depression had robbed me of the strength to argue.

He wanted me to wait, said he would make it up to me, hoped I would understand.

His words were light as feathers, unable to create a single ripple in my heart.

I watched as Neil repeatedly glanced at his phone, inching his way toward the door.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. How laughable. For three years, he had fed me the same lines, and for three years, I had swallowed every one.

"Go on," I said, surprised by my own calmness.

The relief washing over his face was a fresh thorn twisting into my numb nerves. He rushed back to my side, reaching out to stroke my hair.

I flinched away.

"You..." He froze, a helpless smile crossing his face. "Don't be difficult, okay? I'll be back soon."

I watched him turn and leave, his voice instantly softening as he answered his phone. In that moment, something inside me finally went quiet. It was my heart.

It had died from Neil's choices, one after another, from Eloise's taunts, and from my own foolish hope.

The door clicked shut, locking us forever in two different worlds. I slowly closed my eyes, letting the darkness swallow the last sliver of light.

Eloise pushed open my hospital room door, with Neil hovering protectively by her side. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she nervously twisted the hem of her dress.

She bit her lip, her voice barely a whisper. "Wren, I'm sorry..."

Neil immediately moved to support her, his arm hovering behind her back.

"I... I didn't mean to..." Her tears fell right on cue. "I was just so scared..."

She looked up at Neil, her eyes shining like a frightened doe's. "Neil is the only family I have left..."

Neil's brow furrowed in pain as he gently patted her back. "Stop crying. No one is blaming you."

I leaned against the headboard, a silent spectator to their performance.

"Wren." Eloise took a step toward me, then her knees buckled. Neil caught her by the waist with lightning speed.

She collapsed against his chest, her voice trembling pitifully. "I know you hate me," she sobbed, "but Neil is all I have left..."

Neil’s gaze shot to me, sharp with accusation. "She's been through a lot," he said, his voice softening into a plea. "Can't you just be a little more understanding?"

Eloise let out a perfectly timed sob, burying her face in his chest. He held her tightly, whispering, "It's okay, Eloise. It's okay."

I watched him stroke her hair, the motion so practiced, so natural. He looked at me over the top of her head, his patience clearly wearing thin. "For God's sake, Wren, can't you be the bigger person?"

Eloise suddenly broke free from his embrace and stumbled to my bedside. She gripped the corner of my blanket, her knuckles white.

"Wren, please..." Her voice broke, tears splashing onto my comforter. "Just... let me have him back. Please? He's... he's all I have."

She looked up, her face streaked with tears. "I'll die without him..."

Neil rushed over and pulled her back into his arms. "Don't say things like that!"

His voice trembled as he gently wiped away her tears. "You're going to be okay. I promise."

She leaned against him, her thin shoulders shaking. "But Wren... she hates me..." She looked up at him, her eyes welling. "Should I... should I just die?"

"No!" Neil snapped, then immediately softened his voice. "Don't be ridiculous."

He looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Look at the state she's in."

"Wren..." Eloise started crying again, clutching his collar. "I swear, once I'm better, I'll give Neil back to you."

Neil's gaze remained locked on me. "Once her condition stabilizes..."

Eloise shuddered in his arms, clinging to him tighter. He looked down at her, his voice impossibly gentle. "Don't be scared. I'm here."

I turned my head and stared out the window.

Neil sighed, his tone firm and reassuring. "When Eloise is better, I'll make it up to you. I'll take you to Greece, just like we planned."

The moment the words left his mouth, Eloise's body went rigid. She repeated his words as if she couldn't comprehend them, her eyes losing focus. "Make it up to her?"

Her voice turned shrill. "Then what about me? Are you going to stop loving me?"

Neil's own panic ignited. He cupped her face in his hands. "I didn't mean it like that. Eloise, listen to me."

"You liar!" she shrieked hysterically, tearing at her hair. "You're all lying to me!" She pointed a trembling finger at me. "You love her, don't you? You're going to abandon me!"

"Eloise, calm down!" he begged, clumsily holding her as she struggled. "I swear I'll never leave you!"

He fumbled to wipe away her tears. "I was just placating her, that's all. It didn't mean anything. Eloise, I wasn't being serious..."

Eloise's sobs stopped abruptly. She sniffled and looked up at him. "Re... really?"

"Of course." Neil let out a breath of relief, gently kissing her forehead. "You'll always be my Eloise."