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.

could say a word, a furious voice, trembling with anger, rang

It was Mrs. Robinson.

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

they had nothing to hide, why sneak around behind

followed, needing to know if she was just being

tangled up in

never expected to hear Charles say it

baby wasn't even

been with Charles while she

slide because Evelyn was pregnant, but this? Even after getting together with Brooks, Evelyn still dared to keep

did she think Brooks was, some kind

voice, Evelyn felt a chill

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

she glared at Evelyn,

The baby you're carrying

face went ghostly

but the denial never made it out. In the

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

test, the truth would be

rage, words failing her. She raised her hand

but stood still,

Smack.

echoed, sharp and

pain. She opened her

the slap in

Robinson hadn't held back. Charles's face was already marked

Seeing Charles shielding Evelyn

made

what he do? Charles's

S. Robinson angrier, I

too high to ignore.