The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles' gaze, as deep and chilly as a winter lake, lingered on Evelyn's lips. He noted how they had turned a frosty shade of purple before he finally let her go. "Turn around!" Evelyn shot him a frosty look.

Charles chuckled quietly, amusement dancing in his eyes as he took in Evelyn's serious demeanor. His look seemed to say, "I've seen and touched every inch of you, so what's the point of turning around?"

Evelyn didn't say a word; she just kept her eyes on Charles until he eventually turned his back. Only then did she start peeling off her drenched jeans. She was still sneaking glances at him at first, but seeing his back gave her the confidence to continue. The jeans clung stubbornly to her skin, and as she bent to wrestle with them, her coat slipped from her shoulders.

Unbeknownst to her, the car window offered a reflection of her. Even blurred, Charles was all too familiar with the silhouette of Evelyn's body. Through the foggy glass, he caught glimpses of her, and memories flooded back of Evelyn's long, pale legs wrapped around his waist countless times. Soft and compliant, Evelyn would let him mold her into any position he desired, completely at his mercy.

Charles' eyes darkened, his desire barely restrained as his Adam's apple bobbed. His look turned predatory as if he could consume her whole in the next moment. Just as Evelyn managed to tug the soaked jeans from her legs, she sensed something and glanced up quickly. Seeing Charles still turned away, she thought she must have imagined it. But as she sat up, her eyes caught something in the window reflection-her own wide eyes and another hungry and intent pair-Charles'.

Their eyes met in the reflection, and Evelyn's eyes sparked with anger. In his desire-laden gaze, Charles' eyes also held a hint of amusement. He turned around leisurely, his handsome face unruffled, his gaze as frank and unapologetic as ever. He had never bothered to hide his desire for her.

Evelyn burned with frustration. The thought of having stripped down to her underwear in front of Charles was infuriating. Asking him to turn around looked like a joke. She flung her wet jeans at him in exasperation. "Charles, have you no shame?"

Charles caught the jeans easily and tossed them aside, his gaze returning to Evelyn, darkening as he recalled the brief glimpse of her bare skin. Evelyn, following his gaze,

her coat had

But the coat could only cover so much, leaving her ankles and feet exposed to the

completely. The warmth wrapped around her, gradually thawing her from the cold. The whole ordeal had left Evelyn exhausted. She fought to stay awake, but the alcohol still buzzed in her system, making her head heavy. Unable to resist, she drifted off to

in time. Evelyn's head rested against Charles' palm, and with a gentle nudge, he guided her

slept deeply, leaning on Charles' shoulder. When she woke up,

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her into the living room. As she stirred, he noticed she was awake. He noticed she wanted to get down, so he set her gently on her feet. "Go upstairs and have a hot bath,"

didn't bathe. Instead, she went straight to the master bedroom's closet, locking the door behind her. She tossed Charles' coat onto

Before heading downstairs, she

overwhelming wave of emotion hit her, and her eyes welled up. Her gaze lingered lovingly over the room that bore the strongest traces of her daughter's life. She took

finally turning to leave,