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

was yours? Charles, you saw me

And I'd never let myself end

final-no

own world. It wasn't until after she'd taken the pills, called Brooks, and was heading upstairs that she saw his car parked outside. He'd been following

to know just how

And it worked.

excitement drained from Charles's face,

the pills himself. The baby couldn't

instant. He'd been so happy when the doctor told him Evelyn was pregnant, thinking fate

disappointment settled in his

Evelyn would

now," Evelyn said, her voice cool

up slowly, his left leg still stiff from old injuries. He'd knelt too long and almost stumbled as he stood. Evelyn's

he started, his voice

returned from the hallway, having finished talking to the doctor. He paused when he saw Charles, giving only a

Brooks hadn't blamed Evelyn, but he still hadn't

her whole demeanor softened. She reached out for him, her eyes

to understand immediately. He hurried to her side, set down a tray of food, then took her hand in his and gently