In Chapter 10 of “Before Sunrise Touches Earth We Forgive What Hurt Us,” the emotional tension between Rosette and her mother, Mrs. Varkas, reaches a boiling point. Rosette grapples with feelings of shame and confusion over her recent intimate encounter with her stepbrother, Axel. Despite the heavy atmosphere filled with unspoken truths, she finds it easier to let the moment linger in silence rather than confront the complexities of their relationship. When Axel is jolted back to reality by their mother’s presence, he greets her with playful charm, masking the underlying tension that hangs in the air.
As the confrontation unfolds, Rosette tries to downplay the awkwardness, but her mother’s reaction reveals a deep-seated disapproval. Mrs. Varkas accuses Rosette of wrongdoing, insisting that her actions are a personal affront. Rosette, however, is determined to assert her autonomy, expressing frustration over her mother’s perception that her life revolves around her feelings. The exchange highlights the emotional scars from their tumultuous relationship, with Rosette no longer the naive girl seeking approval but a young woman ready to forge her own path, even at the cost of further alienation.
Axel, observing the intense exchange from the shadows, becomes increasingly intrigued by Rosette. He recognizes the pain behind her tough exterior and feels drawn to her resilience. His desire to understand her deeper emotions adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, hinting at the possibility of a connection that could provide solace amidst their shared turmoil. As Rosette prepares to leave for Axel’s house, the emotional fallout from her confrontation with her mother looms large, leaving her to confront the remnants of her past while navigating her burgeoning independence.
The chapter concludes with Axel’s determination to connect with Rosette, revealing his growing feelings and the potential for a deeper bond. The stakes are high as their lives intertwine, setting the stage for future confrontations and revelations. Readers are left anticipating how Rosette will confront her past and whether Axel can help her find healing, suggesting that their intertwined fates might either bring them closer together or drive them apart. The emotional landscape is fraught with tension, hinting at a complex journey ahead for both characters.
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**Before Sunrise Touches Earth We Forgive What Hurt Us by Vik Rowan Tate**
**Chapter 10**
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Was I meant to feel shame? Should I have found the words to articulate what had transpired? But what was there truly to explain? That I had brought my stepbrother to a peak of pleasure, and that the reverse was equally true? Wasn’t it far easier to let it remain unspoken, to allow it to linger in the air like a dense fog, heavy and suffocating, obscuring everything in its path?
Axel was blissfully ignorant of our mother’s looming presence. He seemed ensnared in some distant daydream, his gaze lost in a realm far beyond the immediate chaos. But then, as if the universe had nudged him awake, Mom shifted slightly. The movement was so subtle that it could easily have been overlooked, yet it was enough to jolt Axel back to reality. He sprang to his feet, his body taut with tension, turning to face her. But upon recognizing who it was, he visibly relaxed, releasing a breath he must have been holding for an eternity.
“Mrs. Varkas,” he greeted, his voice dripping with a playful charm as he tucked his hands into his pockets, presenting a facade of casual ease.
Mom finally tore her gaze away from me, blinking at Axel as if she were waking from a dream. Her lips parted and closed, struggling to form coherent words. After a moment of internal battle, she managed to stammer, “A–Axel.”
I couldn’t see his expression, but I could easily imagine the smirk that danced across his lips. “Yes, Mrs. Varkas, that’s me. How do you do?” His tone was almost teasing, a stark contrast to the tension that enveloped the room like a thick blanket.
Mom’s eyes darted between me and Axel, repeating his name as if trying to grasp the reality of the situation. Finally, she sputtered, “W–what… Both of…”
Axel glanced back at me, a grin spreading across his face. “Rosette, thank you for this unforgettable afternoon. I’ll catch you later, sweetheart.”
With that, he sauntered away, brushing past Mom without so much as a glance in her direction. Mom turned to watch him go, her expression a chaotic mix of disbelief and confusion, before her eyes landed back on me.
“What—”
“Let’s not make this more awkward than it already is, Mom,” I interrupted, hastily tugging on my pants and adjusting my underwear. My fingers fumbled as I pulled the fabric up, not even bothering to fasten the button.
“More awkward than it already is?” she echoed incredulously, stepping in front of me to block my path as I attempted to sidestep her. “This isn’t awkward, Rosette; it’s wrong!”
“Save the lectures, Mother. I’m fully aware.” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I was done with this conversation.
“You know and still chose to do it?” she spat, her voice dripping with disgust. “You did it just to mess with me, didn’t you?”
I shot her a penetrating look, my heart racing. “Why do you assume that everything I do revolves around you? My life doesn’t revolve around your feelings, you know that? I make my own choices because I want to, not to provoke a mother who clearly doesn’t care about me.”
Memories flooded my mind—times when I was naïve, when I would act out just to grab her attention, to elicit any reaction, no matter how negative. I would push her buttons, and she would scream and yell. But those days were long gone; I was no longer that girl. I was determined to forge my own path now, regardless of whether it was deemed right or wrong.
Mom’s expression shifted, a flicker of hurt crossing her features, momentarily softening her hardened exterior. “You really think I don’t care about you?”
I arched an eyebrow, unconvinced. “I don’t just think it; I know it.”
“Rosette—”
“I need to go pack. This has been a delightful conversation.” I turned to leave, but her hand shot out, gripping my arm and forcing me to meet her gaze.
“Pack. To where?” she demanded, her eyes wide with confusion.
I sighed, rolling my eyes upwards in exasperation. “I don’t have time for this—”
“Where?” she pressed, pulling me closer so we were eye to eye.
I searched her gaze for understanding, but she was genuinely clueless. “To the boy’s house. Mr. Varkas told me this morning that’s where I’ll be living.”
“I wasn’t aware of that arrangement,” she replied, her voice laced with disbelief.
I yanked my arm free from her grasp, noticing the red mark left behind—a bruise forming even now. It was a familiar pain, one I had endured for years. I walked past her, and this time, she didn’t try to stop me. “You can discuss that with your husband.”
***
**AXEL**
I stood in the shadows, leaning against the pillar with my arms crossed, observing the exchange between the mother and daughter with keen interest.
In just a few short minutes of watching them, I had unraveled the tangled web of their relationship; it was painfully clear they despised one another.
My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to understand why. But as I caught sight of Rosette’s gaze dropping to the spot where her mother had gripped her, I knew immediately that the pain she felt ran deeper than mere physical hurt. The anger in her eyes spoke volumes—this was a pain that couldn’t be soothed by bandages or apologies; it was emotional, a wound that had festered over time.
Rosette turned and walked away, leaving her mother standing there, staring at her own hand as if it were a foreign object.
“Ahh,” I muttered to myself, pushing off from the pillar and deciding to follow Rosette. I maintained a respectful distance of five feet behind her, and she remained blissfully unaware of my presence. She may have put on a brave front, but I could see the softness beneath her tough exterior. This striking woman was a survivor, resilient yet so easily affected by the world around her.
I found her intriguing. Hell, everything about Rosette captivated me. And her scent? It was intoxicating, wild, and primal. I silently thanked my father for this unexpected gift.
Rosette ascended the stairs to her room, and I lingered behind, watching her retreat. I wanted to be near her, always. This growing obsession of mine could spell trouble for both of us.
“Stalking your new plaything?” Kade’s voice broke through my thoughts, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Plaything…” I repeated, testing the word like it was a bitter pill. It didn’t sit right with me. “Wrong.”
Kade raised an eyebrow, a challenge in his gaze. “Wrong? She’s not your latest toy? What is she then? Just a distraction?”
I turned to face him, my chest tightening with anger. But I refused to take the bait. “And you? What’s she to you?”
He averted his gaze, his jaw clenched tight. “She’s nothing.”
A hollow laugh escaped my lips, laced with disbelief. “Right, brother. You’ve always been a master of deception, Kade. Always.” I turned away, moving to leave. “But that’s fine. You’ll deny it, and Kross… well, that cold bastard is incapable of feeling anything. If it’s not business, he’s not interested. This works in my favor. Both of you will steer clear, and I can have her all to myself.”
I chuckled again, the sound lighter this time. “I’ve never been one for sharing anyway.”
I felt Kade’s eyes burning into my back until I was out of sight. He had a troubled past with women, always trying to keep his distance, but something in me sensed this situation would be different. I hoped my instincts were wrong this time.
An hour later, after Kade had left for home, I picked up my car keys and made my way to Rosette’s room. I knocked softly, and there was a shuffle inside, followed by a loud thud. “Coming!” she shouted, her voice slightly muffled.
A small smile crept onto my face as I waited, standing still. Finally, she opened the door, her breathing heavy, bags piled behind her.
“Did you fall while trying to get into those pants?” I teased, leaning casually against the doorframe, my eyes roaming over her form.
She was dressed in pants again, paired with an old T-shirt, her hair hastily thrown into a messy bun.
“Shut up,” she muttered, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink.
I couldn’t help but wonder… what would she look like if she smiled? What would her laughter sound like? How breathtaking would she be if she let her hair down?
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, self-consciously patting her hair and glancing down at her attire.
Ahh, this stunning, captivating woman was self-conscious.
“Why don’t you let your hair down?” I asked softly, my voice almost a whisper.
She shrugged, avoiding my gaze. “It gets in the way.”
“Hmm.” Finally, she met my eyes, an eyebrow arched in skepticism. I couldn’t resist saying, “You’re beautiful, Rosette.”
“I know that,” she replied, her tone indifferent, as if we were discussing the weather.
What had she been through? What kind of life had shaped her into someone so guarded and… fractured?
“I want to know you, Rosette,” I declared, my voice steady.
A frown creased her forehead. “Why?”
I shrugged, trying to downplay my interest. “No reason. You simply intrigue me.”
She sighed, rubbing her temple as if I were a bothersome fly. “Look, Axel. Nothing has changed between us. What we did was just to relieve some tension. Don’t get attached. I won’t be here for long.”
“And where would you go, sweetheart?”
**Conclusion**
In the aftermath of the confrontation between Rosette and her mother, the emotional landscape has shifted dramatically. Rosette stands at a crossroads, having shed the weight of her mother’s expectations and judgments, yet the scars of their fraught relationship remain deeply etched in her psyche. The exchange highlighted not only the chasm between them but also Rosette’s burgeoning independence; she is no longer the girl who sought her mother’s approval through rebellion. Instead, she embraces her autonomy, even if it comes at the cost of further alienation. The raw pain of their dynamic is palpable, leaving Rosette to grapple with her own identity amidst the chaos. As she prepares to leave, the tension lingers, a bittersweet reminder of the bonds that both bind and break.
Meanwhile, Axel’s perspective adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative. His fascination with Rosette grows, revealing a desire to understand the depths of her character beyond the surface. He sees her strength and vulnerability, recognizing the emotional barriers she has constructed as a means of protection. Axel’s determination to connect with her offers a glimmer of hope in a story otherwise steeped in turmoil. As he confronts his own feelings, he becomes a potential catalyst for Rosette’s healing, embodying the possibility of solace amidst their shared tumult. Together, they stand on the precipice of something profound, caught between the remnants of their pasts and the uncertain promise of a future that could either bind them together or tear them apart.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Rosette and her mother to escalate as the underlying issues of their fraught relationship come to the forefront. With Rosette preparing to leave for Axel’s house, the stakes are higher than ever, and the emotional fallout from their confrontation will resonate deeply. Will Rosette finally confront the pain of her past, or will she continue to bury it beneath her bravado? As she grapples with her mother’s disapproval, the cracks in their relationship will widen, revealing the complexities of love, resentment, and the desperate need for understanding.
Meanwhile, Axel’s fascination with Rosette will deepen, drawing him into a world of emotional turmoil that he may not be prepared for. As he attempts to navigate his growing feelings while keeping his brother Kade at bay, readers will witness the intricate dynamics of their sibling rivalry unfold. Will Axel’s desire to know Rosette push him to uncover the truth about her struggles, or will it lead him down a path of obsession? The chapter promises to unravel the layers of both characters, setting the stage for a confrontation that could change everything. Anticipation builds as the consequences of their actions loom large, hinting that the choices they make could either bind them together or tear them apart forever.
Conclusion
In the wake of the tumultuous encounter between Rosette and her mother, a profound transformation is evident within Rosette. She stands resolute, having dismantled the chains of her mother’s expectations that once held her captive. The confrontation served as a catalyst, igniting a fire within her to reclaim her identity and assert her independence. As she prepares to leave, the bittersweet ache of severed ties lingers, reminding her of the complexities of familial love and the painful journey toward self-acceptance. Though the scars of her past remain, Rosette’s resolve to forge her own path marks a pivotal moment in her emotional arc, setting the stage for her to embrace the unknown with both trepidation and hope.
On the other hand, Axel’s burgeoning fascination with Rosette introduces a new dynamic that could either nurture her healing or complicate her journey further. His desire to understand her, to peel back the layers of her guarded exterior, hints at the possibility of a deep connection that transcends mere attraction. As he navigates his own feelings amidst the chaos of his family’s rivalry, Axel becomes a beacon of potential solace for Rosette. Together, they stand on the precipice of something transformative, caught between the shadows of their pasts and the promise of a shared future. The interplay of their emotions suggests that while the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, it also holds the potential for redemption, healing, and a love that could redefine their lives.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect the emotional tension between Rosette and her mother to reach a breaking point as the realities of their strained relationship come crashing down. With Rosette on the brink of leaving for Axel’s house, the confrontation that has been simmering beneath the surface is poised to explode. Will Rosette finally confront the years of hurt and resentment that have shaped her? As she prepares to embrace her newfound independence, the stakes are higher than ever, and the fallout from her mother’s disapproval could lead to a pivotal moment of reckoning. The air will be thick with unspoken words, and Rosette’s journey toward self-acceptance may take a tumultuous turn as she navigates the complexities of familial love intertwined with deep-seated pain.
Meanwhile, Axel’s intrigue with Rosette is set to evolve, pushing him into a realm of emotional vulnerability he has never experienced before. As he attempts to connect with Rosette, the specter of his brother Kade looms over him, creating an undercurrent of tension that threatens to derail his intentions. Will Axel’s desire to understand Rosette lead him to uncover the truth behind her guarded exterior, or will it spiral into a dangerous obsession that complicates their already tumultuous dynamic? This chapter promises to delve deeper into their intertwined fates, revealing the layers of their personalities and the secrets they harbor. As they navigate the choppy waters of their pasts, readers will be left breathless, wondering whether the choices they make will bring them closer together or drive them apart in the end. Anticipation builds as the emotional stakes rise, hinting at a confrontation that could change the course of their lives forever.
