The Day Our Promise Breaks

At a restaurant, Brooks, ever the gentleman, gracefully pulled out a chair for Evelyn.

"Thank you." Evelyn expressed her gratitude as she took a seat.

Brooks was said to be the epitome of cultivation and chivalry, and indeed, his reputation was well-earned.

Brooks sat down.

After ordering their meals, neither of them spoke. Evelyn waited for Brooks to start a conversation about her work, but Brooks just kept gazing at her.

His gaze was gentle, not at all off-putting. Yet being stared at like this made Evelyn somewhat uncomfortable. She furrowed her brows slightly and met his gaze.

Her expression turned a bit cold. She wondered if he was playing with her. Could it be that his good reputation was undeserved, and he was actually a playboy? "Do you really not remember me?"

Just as Evelyn was secretly harboring doubts, Brooks spoke in a deep, unhurried, magnetic voice.

"Sorry?" Evelyn was puzzled and stared at Brooks.

What did he mean? Did they know each other?

"When do you plan to return my pen?" he asked again.

"What?" Evelyn was bewildered and completely at a loss.

Brooks' eyes dimmed slightly at her genuinely confused expression. Back then, Evelyn had eyes only for Charles.

"Never mind, I must have mistaken you for someone else." Brooks tactfully changed the subject.

Evelyn sat up straight, feeling a bit awkward.

latest design for one million dollars. Would that be

price is too low? No worries,

more than enough, Mr. Brooks. What

winner's work this time is worth

spoke calmly, but it was clear he looked down upon Dahlia's work. He was belittling Dahlia, feeling indignant on Evelyn's behalf. Evelyn picked up on it. Brooks slid a check across the table

check, offering Brooks a genuinely grateful smile.

zipping it up before taking one more glance

tears. Charlie could finally rest

the better of her, Evelyn stood up, bid Brooks farewell, and headed to the restroom

...

regaining her composure, Evelyn

sink, a strong hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her into the adjacent men's restroom. "Charles, have you

instantly. She was both embarrassed

in, she closed her eyes. She didn't

"Click-"

Charles forcefully pressed Evelyn against the door. "Who allowed you to

was hot, and his deep, magnetic voice carried a chilling coldness. His actions

over! I have no ties with you now. What right do you have to care who I

her voice, staring at Charles with

I agree to that? I haven't said yes, and you are finding someone else. Evelyn, do you

gaze was icy. He looked like he

accept their breakup wasn't out of love. To him,

was simply because he felt he should be the one to make decisions. He

scoffed in her heart and mercilessly replied, "Yes. I truly believe

could finish her sentence, Charles seized her

fiercely at Charles,