The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Sorry, the number you've dialed is switched off."

Hearing this automated message, Evelyn felt her emotions start to settle. It was too early, and SJ was probably asleep.

[Call me when you wake up,] she typed out quickly, sending the text before slipping her phone back into her purse. Just as she was about to head into the subway, a car horn honked behind her. She turned to see the sleek black Maybach parked nearby-Brooks' car. He hadn't left; he was waiting for her. Evelyn got back in.

She was about to thank him but remembered his earlier words and stopped herself just in time.

"Not bad," Brooks said, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he complimented her.

Evelyn gave him a helpless look in return. Their eyes met, and they both couldn't help but chuckle softly. In that moment, Evelyn felt the invisible gap between her and Brooks close just a little. "Brooks, Rosa set you up as my blind date. Why did Michael show up to pick me up instead?" Evelyn asked, not accusing Brooks but just trying to understand.

"On my way to pick you up, Sena suddenly dashed out, and I accidentally bumped into her," Brooks explained. "At the time, I thought it was just an accident, so I took her to the hospital immediately." "So, Sena and Michael teamed up to drug me?" Evelyn asked, unsurprised to hear Sena's name.

create a fait accompli. I'm sorry, I pulled you into this mess," Brooks admitted, having planned to explain and let Evelyn decide how to handle it. Evelyn

been obsessed with a certain guy for years, but she never knew who it was since she rarely crossed paths

don't like her, and there's nothing between us," Brooks insisted just as the light turned red,

Brooks caught on to her expression, his gaze flickering as he changed the

need anything, just let me

"Okay."

they neared her company, Brooks parked a few blocks away at a corner. Evelyn waved goodbye, heading quickly

disappeared from view

...

afternoon,

called

right time