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.

homemade food was her own

bit of resentment

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

fragile for three years now. When the family business ran into trouble, he'd fallen ill and never fully bounced back. Through it all, Wiona and Brooks had

knew he was just as

connected, Wiona blurted out, "Dad, Brooks is going to have a baby!

Evelyn is pregnant. I'm at the hospital now. Don't worry-I know,

to the

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

her hand gently, reassuring her to stay put and rest. Then he got

looked at Wiona with a respectful,

wasn't in the best shape-physically or emotionally-and Brooks didn't want his family to

of mild annoyance. She waved him aside.

waiting for a response, she walked

ready to shield Evelyn, but hearing the warmth

he stepped back to

to

Josephine!" Evelyn greeted, pushing herself

Mrs. Robinson was quicker, reaching out to steady Evelyn herself. "Eve, slow

and stared at

about

"When I arrived and you were resting, I

his best, but he's still

Josephine will look

any cravings, just tell me I'll make anything