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.

on the steering wheel, the tension in his knuckles obvious, but after a moment, he made

and headed

Traffic was horrendous.

maybe it was the pregnancy-halfway home,

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

wasn't until they hit another endless red light—waiting through two cycles before the cars in front finally moved that he glanced over and

in traffic when you're

the light turned green, the car in front slowed down again. Charles eased on the brakes, trying to

even whiter,

what's wrong?" Charles asked, instantly pulling over to

her, worry all

awful she couldn't even

stomach rolled, and she couldn't hold it back-she threw up, all

was a complete

Charles's face changed immediately.

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

didn't

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

lips with his sleeve. Do you feel any better?" he asked

a water bottle and held it out to

like her

but there was nowhere to

tissues and held out his hand for her

think twice. She spat

the tissues into the trash, then handed her the water again, helping

answer, just rested back against

gently dabbed the sweat from her forehead with

away,

she wasn't about to be sick again, Charles finally started dealing

so focused

even noticed the