The Day Our Promise Breaks

Wiona was absolutely ecstatic.

She could hardly think straight-she was that happy.

Evelyn was pregnant!

Was she really about to become a grandma?

After Brooks was born, Wiona's health had suffered, and she never managed to have another child, so Brooks had always been her one and only. Now, seeing her friends dote on their grandkids, she couldn't help but feel just a little jealous every time.

She wanted that joy for herself.

Ever since Brooks turned twenty-four, she'd dropped hints-sometimes gentle, sometimes not-so-subtle about settling down. But Brooks always managed to dodge the topic.

When Rosa was still alive, there'd even been talk about Brooks being set up with Evelyn. Back then, Wiona had no idea Evelyn was already involved with Charles, or that they'd had a daughter together.

She'd always felt Evelyn's background as a housekeeper's daughter wasn't quite good enough, but since Brooks was open to the idea, she'd gone along with it anyway.

Who could have guessed how complicated things would get?

Once Brooks fell for Evelyn, it was like no other woman existed. He gave up the whole forest for a single tree, and, truthfully, Wiona never thought that tree was all that special.

That resentment lingered, buried deep.

And when she found out about Evelyn's past with Charles, her disapproval only grew. She made things difficult, always opposing them.

But over the last half-year, her feelings towards Evelyn had started to shift. Especially after what happened recently-Evelyn had really started to win her

over.

to come to the hospital today with homemade food was her own way

her last bit of resentment melted away. All she could think about was holding

of food, Wiona hurried toward the hospital room, buzzing with excitement. On the way, she called Mr.

fallen ill and never fully bounced back. Through it all, Wiona and Brooks had

was grateful for that—and she knew he was just as eager as she was for

out, "Dad, Brooks is going to have

now. Don't worry-I know, I

to the hospital room and hung

woken up. Hearing Wiona's voice, she tried to

put and rest. Then

at Wiona with a respectful, slightly wary tone.

shape-physically or emotionally-and Brooks didn't want his family to

waved him aside. "Move over- don't block

for a response, she walked right

shield Evelyn,

he stepped back to

to Evelyn's

Josephine!" Evelyn greeted, pushing herself

to steady

froze, stunned, and

all about it," Wiona said

smile. "When I arrived and you were resting, I asked the doctor. That's when I found

best, but he's still a man-so from

Josephine will look

have any cravings, just tell me I'll make