The Day Our Promise Breaks

Evelyn was clearly in a slump.

She walked out of the hospital.

Brooks was nowhere to be seen, and there was no way Evelyn was getting into Charles's car alone with him.

She had just pulled out her phone to call a ride when a big hand closed over hers, taking her phone away. Before anyone could even accept her ride request, he hit cancel-calmly, like it was his right.

"I'll drive you home," Charles said, holding her hand tightly.

"I don't need you to," Evelyn replied, trying to yank her hand away.

But this time, Charles wouldn't let go, and she couldn't break free.

"I'll drive you,” he repeated, his voice low as he looked down at her, seeing the frustration in her eyes.

Ever since he'd found out about her pregnancy-ever since he believed fate was giving him another shot-Charles had gotten a whole lot bossier.

Mrs. Robinson was still upstairs.

Evelyn really didn't want to create a scene with Charles out front, worried that someone connected to Mrs. Robinson, or a nurse or a doctor, might see them and gossip would get back to her. If Mrs. Robinson got upset again, Evelyn knew she'd never be able to face Brooks.

"Let go. I'll get in the car myself," Evelyn said, her voice cold.

Only then did Charles finally let her go.

He opened the front passenger door for her.

Evelyn had no interest in sitting up front next to him, so she turned to open the back door instead.

But Charles slid an arm around her waist and gently pulled her back.

Evelyn's lips pressed into a hard line. Annoyed, she pried his hand off her waist, threw it aside, and climbed into the car, stiff and silent.

As she got in, Charles reached up to shield her head from bumping, then softly closed the door behind her.

"If you're not feeling well, let me know," he said gently after getting in himself, glancing over at Evelyn, whose face was turned toward the window, eyes shut tight.

Evelyn didn't answer.

steering wheel, the tension in his knuckles

the car and

Traffic was horrendous.

get carsick, but maybe it was the pregnancy-halfway home, her stomach

leaned her head against the window, her hair hiding half her face, so Charles didn't

two cycles before the cars in front

stuck in traffic when you're sick is

car in front slowed down again. Charles eased on the brakes, trying to keep things as steady

whiter, her stomach twisting

wrong?" Charles asked, instantly pulling over to

her, worry all over his face as

felt so awful she couldn't even push

she couldn't hold

a complete

Charles's face changed immediately.

was coming, sure he'd shove her away—especially knowing how much of

didn't

hands, not caring about the mess on his shift, and gently wiped the

his sleeve. Do you

grabbed a water bottle and held it

felt like her insides

rinsed, but there was

out his hand for her

think twice. She spat out

trash, then handed her the water again, helping her take a few more

didn't answer, just rested back against the

aching, Charles gently dabbed the sweat from her forehead

away,

he was sure she wasn't about to be sick again, Charles finally started

so focused on Evelyn

even noticed the