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."

girls, but they hadn't spoken up-not because they didn't want to, but because they were scared. Michael was a Robinson, and with that surname, he could

Though he hadn't investigated, he knew Charles was the only other person in the Capital who could pull off something like that so fast. It seemed Charles cared more

But...

"About what happened..."

dad. They had begged Brooks the night before pleading with him to intervene and get Michael out. Michael was their

to leave. By this morning, everything had settled. It was a done

aside, Brooks answered the

you're something now, huh? We begged you to squash this, and

"You've destroyed Michael's life!

he's your

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

last words, there was no room for negotiation, and Michael's dad hung