He called her the "one" for a night? My dice made sure he paid with his life

Crushed But Goodbye by Austen 21 Summary In Chapter 3 of "Crushed But Goodbye," the story unfolds as Sloane and Silas arrive in Paris, only for Silas to receive an urgent call about Wren, who has followed them. Panic sets in as he rushes to help her, leaving Sloane alone at the hotel. Struggling with the language barrier and lacking her passport, Sloane finds herself stranded in the hotel lobby, feeling increasingly isolated and anxious as the hours drag on without any word from Silas. As Sloane waits, fatigue overwhelms her, and she becomes a solitary figure in the sterile hotel environment.

Just when despair threatens to take hold, she unexpectedly encounters Liam, an old friend from high school. His presence brings a sense of comfort and protection, and he offers her a room, alleviating some of her worries. Sloane appreciates Liam's concern, which provides a brief respite from the chaos surrounding her. However, the tranquility is short-lived as Silas eventually returns, visibly distressed and searching for Sloane. Their reunion is fraught with tension as Sloane confronts Silas about her feelings of abandonment and distrust regarding his relationship with Wren.

Silas's explanations only deepen her frustration, leading to a confrontation where Sloane expresses her doubts about his loyalty. The emotional weight of their past interactions resurfaces, highlighting the complexities of their relationship. In a moment of defiance, Sloane chooses to shut the door on Silas, opting for solitude and rest rather than engaging in a difficult conversation. This decision underscores her emotional turmoil and the growing rift between them, leaving her to grapple with her feelings of betrayal and insecurity as she seeks refuge in sleep.

The chapter ends on a note of unresolved tension, setting the stage for further developments in their relationship. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Crushed But Goodbye by Austen 21** **Chapter 3** As the plane touched down, the clock had already ticked past midnight, wrapping the city in a heavy cloak of darkness. We had scarcely rolled to a stop at the hotel entrance when Silas's phone erupted with an urgent ring. Without hesitation, he answered, his voice a mix of concern and urgency. "Hey, hey-don't cry. Just stay put.

I'm on my way." In that moment, I could see the shift in his demeanor; panic washed over his features as he snatched the car keys from the valet's hand, his movements frantic. "Sloane, Wren followed us here." His eyes were wide, reflecting the fear that gripped him. "Paris isn't safe at night. I can't let anything happen to her." He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Head up to the room and crash-I'll be back as soon as I grab her." With that, he sped off, tires screeching against the pavement, disappearing into the shadowy streets.

In the chaos, I suddenly remembered my predicament-my inability to speak a word of French and the fact that he had both our passports tucked away in his pocket. This entire trip had been so hasty that I hadn't even thought to add international service to my phone plan. I was completely cut off; I couldn't call him. I couldn't call anyone. Desperation set in as I approached the front desk, attempting to use a translation app to communicate my plight. But without an ID? No room for me. And so, I found myself marooned in the hotel lobby, a solitary figure amidst the sterile decor. Waiting.

The jet lag, the fatigue, and the ungodly hour conspired against me, crashing down like a wave. I barely registered my surroundings, slumped on a stiff, uncomfortable couch that felt more like a punishment than a resting place. The airport was a mere thirty minutes away-no more than that. Yet, two agonizing hours dragged by, each tick of the clock echoing in my mind, and still, Silas was nowhere to be found. I was too drained to even speculate about what might be happening with him and Wren.

Just as I was about to surrender to sleep once more, a low voice sliced through the stillness of the lobby. "Sloane?" Sleep? Gone in an instant. I whipped my head around, my heart racing. "Liam?! What are you doing here?!" The surprise jolted me upright, and I nearly leaped off the couch. Running into someone from home on the other side of the world-especially a familiar face from three years of high school-was the kind of coincidence that could wake the dead. Liam ambled over, his signature easy grin lighting up his face. "Business trip.

Wrapped things up a few days early." His eyes flicked around the empty lobby, then returned to me, concern etched in his brow. "Silas brought you, right? Where is he?" He didn't even consider the possibility that I might be here alone. Anyone who knew me was well aware that I couldn't even order a meal in another language without breaking a sweat. I seized his arm, tugging him toward the front desk.

"He's picking up a friend." "Come on, get me a room before I pass out right here." Before we headed upstairs, Liam made sure to share his contact information, a gesture that felt both comforting and protective. "They couldn't put you next door, but I'm in 1312. If anything comes up, just knock." I nodded, grateful for his presence. "Yeah, yeah. You're still the same worrywart you were in high school." "Go sleep. Night." Barely a moment had passed before I drifted into a restless slumber, only to be jolted awake by a loud, insistent pounding on the door.

I assumed it was Liam, and with heavy eyelids, I dragged myself over to answer it. But the instant I opened the door, someone yanked me into a tight embrace. "Sloane, are you INSANE?! You let some random guy book you a room and just crashed there? Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?!" The shock of his words snapped me awake in an instant. I pushed Silas back, my frustration boiling over. "What else was I supposed to do? Camp out in the lobby all night waiting for you?" His expression shifted, looking as if I had just delivered a physical blow.

He stood there, momentarily speechless, mouth agape, clearly taken aback by my reaction. "I-I'm sorry. That's my fault. Wren lost her passport. I had to help her tear apart the airport looking for it." He reached for my hand again, desperation in his eyes. "Sloane, just come back with me. You can leave this room for Wren-it works out perfectly." I pulled away, my voice flat and unyielding. "Nah, I'm good. I trust you guys. Besides, if something was really going on between you two, you'd have been together ages ago.

I wouldn't even be here." Silas froze, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Those were his own words, the very excuse he always fed me. Like two years ago when Wren "forgot" her pajamas and borrowed his T-shirt to sleep in. Or last summer when she got a single mosquito bite and had him carry her around like a princess all day! Or just last week when she borrowed his electric razor to shave her legs, giggling all the while. Every single time I pointed out their growing closeness and urged him to set some boundaries? He'd hit me with that same tired line.

I yawned, the exhaustion weighing heavily on me, and with a final gesture of defiance, I shut the door in his face. Then, I collapsed back onto the bed, surrendering to the welcoming embrace of sleep, and was out cold in mere seconds. Conclusion In the wake of the chaotic night, Sloane found herself at a crossroads, grappling with the disillusionment that had seeped into her heart. The unexpected arrival of Liam had provided a momentary reprieve, a glimmer of comfort in a foreign land where everything felt uncertain.

Yet, as she lay in the dim hotel room, the weight of her unresolved feelings for Silas pressed down harder than ever. The confrontation had been a turning point, a stark reminder of the insecurities that had plagued her relationship. Silas's frantic search for Wren only served to amplify her fears, leaving her questioning not just his loyalty but her own worth. As sleep finally claimed her, Sloane realized that this trip was more than a mere escape; it was a reckoning.

The darkness outside mirrored the turmoil within, but with each passing moment, she understood that she had to reclaim her narrative. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with the potential for heartbreak, yet it was also ripe with possibilities for growth and self-discovery. In that stillness, as dreams began to weave through her consciousness, Sloane resolved to confront her fears upon waking-not just about Silas and Wren, but about who she was and who she wanted to become. The journey was far from over, but in that moment, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her.

The stakes are high as the trio navigates the complexities of their relationships against the backdrop of a city that feels both enchanting and perilous. Expect revelations that will challenge Sloane's perceptions and force her to confront her insecurities head-on. As she wrestles with the weight of her choices and the implications of Silas's actions, the arrival of Liam adds another layer of complexity to the mix. Will he become a source of comfort, or will his presence ignite further conflict?