The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles knelt at the side of the hospital bed, one knee pressing into the glossy floor. He reached out, his hand trembling ever so slightly as he tried to place it gently on Evelyn's stomach. The excitement on his face was impossible to miss.

But before he could even touch her, Evelyn batted his hand away, her expression icy and implacable. "Charles, don't touch me."

“Okay, okay, Eve. I won't. Please, don't be upset." He wanted so badly to feel her belly, to connect with the life he hoped was growing inside her. But he knew any stress could hurt her, and that was the last thing he wanted. He pulled his hand back, trying to hide his disappointment.

...

Evelyn lowered her gaze, lashes veiling her eyes. Charles's sudden appearance had completely thrown her off. She'd already agonized over the decision to end this pregnancy-now she had to deal with him too, and it was almost more than she could bear.

She took a slow, steady breath, forcing herself to calm down. From the way Charles was acting, it was obvious he'd already found out. And the way he looked at her-so hopeful and emotional-he must be convinced the baby was his.

Evelyn knew better than anyone how much Charles wanted her to have another child. After Charlie died, the guilt had chewed him up inside. He'd never forgiven himself. And now, he was desperate for another chance, as if it could somehow make things right.

If Charles believed this was his child, he'd never let her go through with the abortion. But Evelyn was done-she refused to be tied to him any longer, refused to let her life spiral back into misery.

She knew exactly what Charles was capable of. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice. She had to make sure he never suspected the truth.

With a plan forming in her mind, Evelyn looked up and met Charles's eager eyes. Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "Charles, you don't actually think this baby is yours, do you?"

The look of excitement slipped right off his face, replaced by shock. Her words were like a splash of ice water.

she saying the baby wasn't

me that night—I took the morning-after pill right in front of you. Two of

And I'd never let myself

was final-no room for

Charles at first, lost in her own world. It wasn't until after she'd taken

to know just how much she didn't want his child. She

And it worked.

face, leaving him pale

He'd seen her take the

had flared inside him crashed down in an instant. He'd been so happy when the doctor told him Evelyn was pregnant, thinking fate had given him another shot. But

disappointment settled

into place. Evelyn would marry Brooks, become Mrs. Brooks, and move on

need to rest now," Evelyn said, her voice cool and

injuries. He'd knelt too long and almost stumbled as he stood. Evelyn's eyes lingered on him for a moment, then flicked

his voice rough with

from the hallway, having finished talking to the doctor. He paused when

still hadn't forgiven

whole demeanor

food, then took her hand in his and gently rested his other hand on her stomach. "Are you feeling