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.

"Ms. Evelyn, I would like to purchase your latest design for one million dollars. Would that be acceptable?" "One million?" Evelyn's mouth dropped

price is too low?

Evelyn hastily interrupted him. "It's more than enough, Mr. Brooks.

work this time is worth it. Why

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

a second before picking up the check, offering Brooks a genuinely grateful smile.

the check in her bag, zipping it up before taking one more glance at the million-dollar figure written on

up with tears. Charlie could finally rest in

stood up, bid Brooks farewell,

...

regaining her composure, Evelyn

the communal sink, a strong hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her into the adjacent men's restroom.

She was both embarrassed

in, she closed her eyes. She didn't see the yellow sign at

"Click-"

door locked, and Charles forcefully pressed Evelyn against the door. "Who allowed

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

you now. What right do you have to care who I

her voice, staring at Charles with cold

I haven't said yes, and you are finding

looked like

their breakup wasn't out of love. To him, she was only an object of

to make decisions. He could leave

heart and mercilessly replied, "Yes. I truly believe you're already

sentence, Charles seized her jaw and

at Charles, and clenched