The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles moved so fast that Evelyn barely had a chance to react before he pulled her firmly into his arms from behind.

Her back met his solid chest, and with every sharp breath he took, she could feel his heart pounding against her. He was practically buzzing with energy-so much that it felt like he wanted to absorb her into himself.

But Evelyn didn't catch even a spark of his excitement. Her voice was ice-cold as she snapped, "Charles, let go of me!"

There was no mistaking the rejection in her tone. She reached up, trying to pry his arms away.

...

Charles only held her tighter, his arms locking around her, pressing her even

closer until there was no space left between them. His big hand slid carefully from her waist to rest over her lower stomach, as if every movement needed to be

gentle.

His palm was hot against her. His fingertips trembled as they grazed her.

The touch made Evelyn freeze, her body going stiff as her mind blanked. For a moment, all thought of struggling slipped away.

From a distance, they could have been mistaken for lovers, lost in a secret embrace.

Evelyn's face turned grim, her expression dark and stormy.

Charles's actions made his message painfully clear: he knew. He knew the baby was his.

This was the last thing she wanted.

She'd lied at the hospital, hoping to avoid giving Charles any reason to chase after her. She knew all too well how impossible it was to shake him off once he set his mind to something.

The problem would only get bigger.

She wanted to believe she was overthinking it, but Charles quickly destroyed that hope, his voice rough and low as he breathed into her ear, "Eve, I know everything. You never slept with Brooks. You lied to me. This baby isn't his—it's mine."

Evelyn's denial died on her lips.

a word, a furious voice, trembling with anger, rang out behind

It was Mrs. Robinson.

her car was waiting, but just as she was about to call, she'd seen Charles's car tailing Evelyn's. If they were only siblings, she wouldn't have thought twice. But after learning they'd been together for five years-and even had a daughter-seeing their cars leave one

to hide, why sneak around behind

she was

tangled up in each

it out loud: the baby wasn't Brooks's, but

wasn't even two months

meant Evelyn had been with Charles while she

because Evelyn was pregnant, but this? Even after getting together with Brooks,

Brooks

voice, Evelyn felt a chill run

Mrs. Robinson's face twisted with rage. Evelyn stepped forward instinctively,

at

baby you're carrying isn't Brooks's,

face went ghostly

mouth, but the denial never made it out. In

in Mrs. Robinson's heart-no denial would change her

test, the truth would be impossible

with rage, words failing her. She raised her hand

it coming, but stood still, not even

Smack.

sound echoed, sharp and

pain. She opened her eyes and saw Charles standing

taking the

face was already marked with a

Seeing Charles shielding Evelyn

made

what he do? Charles's

S. Robinson angrier, I

high