The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Let's keep up the act. Relax." Brooks chuckled softly.

Hearing that, Evelyn felt a weight lift off her shoulders. "Brooks, can you swing by the restaurant I was at yesterday? I accidentally left my purse there."

Just the way she said, "Brooks," made his eyes light up with a twinkle. "I already grabbed it for you last night; it's in the back seat."

Evelyn turned around, spotted her purse, and reached back to snag it. "Thanks."

She pulled out her phone, noticing it had powered down. Naturally, Brooks took it from her and plugged it in to charge. "Thank you," Evelyn said again. Brooks gave her a playful look. "Hey, you are my girlfriend. You don't have to be all formal with me, you know."

Evelyn felt a sudden warmth in her cheeks. She had never really been in a relationship. Since her first crush, she'd only had eyes for Charles and couldn't see anyone else. It wasn't like she didn't have admirers; she just couldn't see them. Then Charles ended up with Dahlia. And five years ago, an accident brought Evelyn and Charles back into each other's lives, but it was all just physical...

"Okay," Evelyn replied softly.

The car started moving. Evelyn remembered the morning news in the living room and turned to Brooks. "I saw the news about Michael today. Thanks. You've got to accept this 'thank you.' It's not just for me, but for all the girls he hurt."

but because they were scared. Michael was a Robinson, and with that surname,

was taken aback. Bringing Michael to justice and convincing the victims to testify so quickly wasn't his doing. Though he hadn't investigated, he knew Charles was the only other person in the Capital who

But...

"About what happened..."

then decided to come clean with Evelyn, just as his phone rang. It was his uncle, Michael's dad. They had begged Brooks the night before pleading with him to intervene and get Michael out. Michael was their only

just asked them to leave. By this morning, everything had settled. It was a done deal, and they couldn't change

Brooks answered the

huh? We begged you to squash this,

"You've destroyed Michael's life!

he's your cousin,

dad off, his voice turning icy. Even if Charles hadn't acted, Brooks wouldn't have let Michael off

was no room for negotiation, and Michael's dad