The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 260

That afternoon, the doctor gave Evelyn a once-over and thankfully, she was in the clear. Brooks took care of all the discharge paperwork, and soon they were

headed to a restaurant known for its light, delicate flavors. Brooks kept piling food onto Evelyn's plate, even though she wasn't quite hungry. Still, she managed to eat a fair bit.

Once they were back in the car, Brooks, with a voice as soft as a summer breeze, asked, "Evelyn, can I go see Charlie?"

While Evelyn had been asleep, Brooks had watched a video from Charlie's daycare a few times, earbuds in, trying to soak up every detail. Maybe it was because he cared for Evelyn and, through her, had grown fond of Charlie too. The more he watched, the more Charlie charmed him. Charlie was truly adorable and wise beyond her years-just so lovable.

Evelyn had been thinking about Charlie too. Yesterday, she'd missed her medication, lost her grip on her emotions, and done something desperate. She couldn't leave this world without avenging Charlie. She gave a slight nod, "Okay."

Brooks had asked about Charlie's favorite things and picked up some gifts and her beloved sweets. When Charlie was sick, she'd had to avoid so many foods. After Charlie passed, Evelyn would often buy lots of things Charlie had loved, hoping somehow she could still enjoy them.

They arrived at the cemetery.

laid out the desserts, flowers, fruit, and toys he'd brought with great care. He didn't mind getting a bit dirty as he sat right down on the ground, tidying up Charlie's gravestone while

spoke to Charlie's photo in that gentle tone, and her eyes welled up. When Charlie was alive, she'd longed for

in, Evelyn brushed her fingers across Charlie's picture. "Baby, mommy's heading

equally gentle, touched the photo as well, "Charlie, Uncle Brooks really likes you. I hope you like me too. I'll come

walked

།

path. Once outside the cemetery, Brooks opened the

her in. But for

he turned to

that day, standing in the rain, you asked to borrow money

learn who

that night vividly—the man lying in the

to stay alive, to reveal who was