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

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

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

business ran into trouble, he'd fallen ill and never fully bounced back. Through it all, Wiona and Brooks had relied on Mr.

she knew he was just as

the call connected, Wiona blurted out, "Dad, Brooks is going to have a baby! You're going to be a

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

quickly reached the door to

just woken up. Hearing

hand gently, reassuring her to stay put and rest.

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

best shape-physically or emotionally-and Brooks didn't want

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

for a response,

ready to shield Evelyn, but hearing the warmth in his

he stepped

hurried to

Josephine!" Evelyn greeted,

reaching out to steady Evelyn herself. "Eve, slow down-don't overexert

stunned, and stared

about it," Wiona

smile. "When I arrived and you were resting, I asked

Brooks tries his best, but he's still a man-so from now

will look after

any cravings, just tell me I'll