By: J.J. Marcell
Cover Reveal and Prologue
Coming Out January 2025 – Mark your calendars!
Prologue
February 17, 2022
Was it possible to break an already shattered heart? Hannah Presten tried to conceal her emotions as she watched her husband in her favorite black slacks and a white button-down shirt stand in the middle of their bedroom. Ethan was finally letting go. The room seemed to close in each time Ethan took a step toward her. There was no stopping her tears. She didn’t care. Her tears flowed as she held Ethan’s hands to her chest. Hannah gazed into Ethan’s equally mournful eyes and forced a smile. She exhaled after taking what she felt was the deepest breath she’d taken in her entire life. “It’s Okay. You can go. I’ll be alright.” It was the right thing to do, knowing that Ethan would be happier where he was going, though it didn’t make it less painful. Ethan stood there studying her face one last time as she held her breath.
Was there an easy way to say goodbye? He knew the answer to that, but there was no other way around it. Ethan had to say goodbye to the only woman he loved no matter how hard it would be. Forcing a smile, Ethan spoke, “You know, I will miss seeing you in this.” He touched an image of a pug on the blue scrubs she was in. There was no hiding it-his heart ached. Barely able to breathe as she buried herself in his arms, he whispered, “I’m sorry, babe.” It was all he could say. What else was there? He was sorry and wished he didn’t have to do this. He wished there was another way, but this just had to be. He needed her to be happy and keep his promise of letting her love and be loved again, the kind of love he could never give her any longer.
Hannah nodded, trying hard not to fall apart. “You don’t have to be sorry for anything, Ethan. We both wanted this. I’d do it all over again if I had to.” She squeezed his hand. “Listen to me. I love you so much, and nothing and no one… You hear me? No one could ever change that—”
“I know, but this whole thing seems wrong. Unfair.”
She agreed. It was unfair. It was wrong, but it was out of their control. Why this way? She had no idea. All she knew was that everything happened for a reason. At least that’s what her mother used to tell her when she was young, and her mother was right. Hannah had her sets of struggles and doubts in life, but every time she looked back, there was always a reason for why things happened the way they did. God was always in control.
“What we had-have is special and it will always stay that way.”
“I will always love you, angel. You know that, right?” he said.
She nodded as she stared into his teary blue eyes, trying to write every detail in her
memory. More tears fell on the floor as he kissed her deeply one last time. Their bodies pressed against each other, trembling as they breathed heavily in unison, savoring each rhythm their lips made together. Their hearts beat fiercely, and she could only take little sips of air as she wrapped her arms around his muscular body, pressing her chest against his; making him feel each painful heartbeat.
Ethan breathed in her familiar floral scent, her memory, her love, taking it all with him, memorizing her sweet taste, her gentle cries, her heartbeat. He breathed them all and took them in his heart. She bit her lower lip, and his breathing became intense. He pulled her in more, burying his fingers in her silky hair. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He covered her mouth with his, letting his tears fall freely.
Time stood still and neither of them wanted to let go, but Ethan finally pulled back.
“I have to go, Han,” he whispered. He stared at his wife, her eyes still closed,
tears flowing down her angelic face. God, she was beautiful. He will forever carry that vision of her with him. She opened her eyes and more tears fell as she gazed at him. Hannah smiled with that sweet, innocent smile he loved so much. He took another deep breath as he brushed her tears away. “Please don’t forget that feeling.”
Ethan stepped back, and the thought of him finally letting go broke Hannah’s heart
into a million pieces once more. His hands slipped from her grip as he took another step away from her. Her heart thudded. He took one last deep breath, let it out, and gave her a smile that
would forever remain etched in her heart. It wasn’t goodbye. It was love. Hannah stood in the
middle of their bedroom, unable to move, watching the love of her life walk away. Her heart ached, but somehow, there was also peace. She wiped her tears away, and when she glanced back up, like a puff of smoke, he was gone.
Thank you, Ethan, for everything.
Ethan was gone. What was she to do now?
I hope you enjoyed the prologue from ‘The Promise.’ I would love to hear your thoughts, and please consider joining my launch team for updates about the book release. See link below.
J.J.
Writing & Photography 