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.

today with homemade food was her own

hearing Evelyn was pregnant, even her last bit of resentment melted away.

toward the hospital room, buzzing with excitement. On the way, she

family business ran into trouble, he'd fallen ill

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

out, "Dad, Brooks is going to have a baby! You're

now. Don't worry-I know,

reached the door to the

woken up. Hearing

hand gently, reassuring her to stay put and

filled the doorway-tall, broad-shouldered-and looked at Wiona with a respectful, slightly wary tone. "Mom, what brings

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

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

for a response, she walked

Evelyn, but hearing the warmth in his

stepped

hurried to

Josephine!" Evelyn greeted, pushing

to help, but Mrs. Robinson was quicker, reaching out to steady Evelyn herself. "Eve, slow down-don't overexert yourself.

froze, stunned, and stared at Wiona,

all about it," Wiona

you were resting, I asked the doctor. That's when I

feeling okay? Brooks tries his best, but he's still a

will look after

you have any cravings, just tell me I'll make anything