Every Vow You Break: A Novel

The scene continues from the previous chapter, as Eric provides additional details about his confession that he was hired to test Abigail’s fidelity. He was given details from her social media to help charm her and says another guest, Jill, had a similar experience. Abigail realizes Bruce must have orchestrated the test. Eric claims he developed genuine feelings for her and came to the island out of concern. He warns she was brought there to be punished for her infidelity.

Bruce begins pounding on the door of Eric’s cabin, looking for Abigail. While Eric bars the door, Bruce shouts insults from outside, calling Abigail a “liar,” a “bitch, and a “whore” (213). As Eric holds Bruce back, Abigail escapes through the back door into the woods.

As dusk approaches, Abigail runs through the woods, fearing Bruce means to harm her. Her flight leads her to an abandoned girls’ camp. Through a window, she sees a theatrical set with a fake forest and a large cage shaped like tree branches. The design on the cage is identical to the face on the Green Man ring. Outside a nearby bunk, Bruce approaches and confronts her, and he accuses Eric of murdering his wife on their honeymoon.