Every Vow You Break: A Novel

Two weeks before the wedding, Abigail secures a two-month leave of absence from her job to focus on her writing. While celebrating with coworkers, she runs into her ex-boyfriend, Ben Perez. He informs her that her friend, Kyra, has been gossiping that Abigail is only marrying Bruce for his money. The next day, Bruce comforts her, explaining that people often behave strangely around wealth. Abigail also worries for her best friend, Zoe, who is going through relationship troubles.

On the wedding day, held at a barn in the Hudson Valley, Abigail feels dissociated. During the reception, an actor gives an awkward toast. Zoe gets drunk, falls, and kisses Bruce’s best man, Darryl Cho, before being taken to her room. Abigail tells her parents Bruce wants to revive their theater, but they are reluctant. For their last dance, Abigail and Bruce sway to “Every Breath You Take,” while Abigail reflects on the song’s creepy lyrics. On the way to their room, Abigail smells Gauloises cigarettes—the same kind Scottie smoked—and sees a man standing alone, hidden in shadow. She starts to panic and asks Bruce if she knows the person smoking, but he says it’s probably just his friend, Mike. She brushes off her fear as paranoia.