The Day Our Promise Breaks

As Charles drew near, his strong masculine scent surrounded her, mingling with the perfume Dahlia wore. The mix created an ambiguous aroma, both intriguing and slightly nauseating. "Ugh..." Evelyn felt her stomach churn.

"Evelyn, don't you dare!" Charles' face shifted instantly, recalling the last time Evelyn had drunkenly vomited on him. He quickly let go and stepped aside.

Evelyn managed to hold it together. She took the chance to move forward and plop down on a bench, leaning back against a pillar to steady her dizzy head. Ignoring Charles, she pulled out her phone and opened a ride-hailing app, ready to call a car. Charles stood by, his gaze unreadable as he watched her.

A moment later, he took out his phone, tapped it a few times, and then put it away. Just as Evelyn was about to request a ride, a notification from her banking app popped up on her screen. She tapped on it and saw a transfer from Charles. Evelyn's eyebrows knitted together as she stared at the long string of zeros. What on earth was this?

Her alcohol-clouded brain took a moment to catch up. Then Charles' deep voice broke through above her. "The prize money for first place in the design competition. I've doubled it for you."

turned icy. After a few seconds, she looked up, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Is this

all sarcasm, not an ounce of warmth. Charles watched her, his brows barely furrowing,

was no surprise he was here instead of taking Dahlia home. He came to keep her quiet with cash. Charles had been with her for five years, providing just a modest monthly allowance for her and Charlie, yet he was

full of cotton. It was stifling and uncomfortable. But she wasn't about to refuse the money.

relaxed a bit. He bent

to spend another second with him. Still tipsy, her steps were unsteady, and

didn't want his help. Her hand moved faster than her thoughts, swatting his hand away again. "I said,

unsteady, the force of her swat tipped her off balance,

"Splash-"