Page 1 of Warrin
Chapter1
Elora satin the anteroom of the church, hollow with despair.The ticking clock on the wall seemed to mock her, each second confirming what she already knew—Tobias was over two hours late.For their wedding.
Her phone buzzed, and a text finally flashed on the screen:I’m sorry.I can’t marry you.There’s someone else.Also, you’re fired.Obviously, we can’t work together anymore.
She swallowed past the burning in her throat.How could he do this to her?She blinked back tears, refusing to let them fall.
The door creaked open, and Rory slipped inside, her expression a mix of pity and fury.After shutting the door softly, she crossed the room and sank onto the plush sofa beside Elora.
“Everyone’s gone, including the minister,” Rory said, clutching the skirt of her glittering periwinkle maid-of-honor gown.“I called the reception venue, and the caterer will make sure the food goes to a homeless shelter.”
“Thank you.”Elora passed her phone to Rory, allowing her to read the text.
Rory gasped.“That bastard.I swear to God, Elora, I will make him pay.I’ll cut off hisyou-know-whatwith a dull knife.”
A smile tugged at Elora’s lips.Her world was collapsing, but at least she wasn’t facing the wreckage alone.She glanced out the window as a few solar cars and hovercrafts zoomed by—the final guests departing the church.
Her stomach twisted.How could she ever show her face in town again?What would she do?Where would she go?
The sudden impulse to leave Oakdale surged through her.She wanted nothing more than to hop in her own solar car, drive away, and never look back.
“I can’t stay here,” Elora whispered.
“Oh, I know, honey.”Rory patted her arm.“We should probably head back to our place.”
“No, I meanhere—Oakdale.I can’t stay in this town.”
“I don’t think it’s safe to leave,” Rory said in an apologetic tone.“Oakdale might be safe, for now, but the surrounding areas aren’t.My father says most of the roads leading to the highways are blocked, and the highways aren’t really safe either.Travelers often get attacked by rebels, or they get shot by government forces who mistake them for rebels.All the out-of-town guests you invited weren’t able to come, not even your parents or your brother.Because it’s just not safe.”
“I was supposed to get married today, Rory.To the highly respected mayor of Oakdale.Not only did he jilt me at the altar, but hefiredme.Who’s going to want to hire the girl who was publicly rejected by the mayor?Half the town was sitting in the pews, andallthe business owners were invited.”Elora once again found herself blinking back tears.She’d loved her job as the economic development director of Oakdale, a position she’d held for the past five years, a job she’d landed immediately after graduating from college.
But now she was unemployed and newly single.
And heartbroken and utterly humiliated.
“Look on the bright side.”Rory patted her arm again.“At least you weren’t already living with Tobias—at least you don’t have to worry about moving out and finding a place to stay.”
Elora sighed.Yes, it was fortunate that she wasn’t already living with Tobias.She’d suggested moving in with him a few weeks before the wedding, but he’d brushed her off and told her to wait until after they exchanged vows.So, she’d continued living in the same apartment she’d been sharing with Rory for the past few years… expecting to officially move out after she became Tobias’s wife.
Looking back, she should’ve seen this as a red flag.Because when he’d brushed her off, he’d fidgeted around strangely and stammered a bit.It happened around the same time he’d suddenly become extra protective of his phone—red flag number two.
“You already have a new roommate lined up,” Elora eventually said, struggling to contain her emotions.“And even if you didn’t, I won’t be able to pay my half of the rent next month anyway.”
“Don’t be silly.Even if you can’t pay your half, I’m not going to kick you out.You’re my best friend.”Rory smiled at Elora and reached for her hand.“You’re staying with me and that’s final.”
“You’re sweet, Rory, and you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, but I know you can’t cover a full month’s rent on your own.We would both end up getting evicted.”
“But—"
“But it doesn’t matter.Because I can’t stay in Oakdale,” Elora said, her thoughts racing.“I have to leave.Tomorrow morning at first light.I’ll leave then.I’ll take the back roads to Madison and go from there.I’ll pay attention to the news reports so I can avoid the combat zones.”Resolve filled her.The thought of leaving Oakdale sent a surge of relief—and freedom—through her.
She could start a brand-new life in a town where no one knew about her past.She could completely reinvent herself.The idea was intoxicating.Just thinking about running away made her feel lighter—less weighed down by heartache.
“You know I love you dearly, but leaving at first light tomorrow seems a bit hasty and dramatic.And dangerous,” Rory said.“Please promise you’ll stay in Oakdale for at least another week—just to give yourself some time to think about the bold action you’re considering.I would be devastated if something happened to you.The country is in chaos, and the newsfeeds are starting to call it a civil war.With rebels fighting what’s left of the government forces, it’s starting to feel like it.Things are getting scary, and I don’t like the thought of you out there on the road where anything could happen.”
Elora drew in a deep breath.“All right,” she said slowly.“I’ll stay for at least another week.”
“Oh, good.”Rory looked relieved.“Hopefully, after a few days, you’ll be able to see the situation a little more clearly, and you won’t drive off into the war-torn countryside.”
