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.

wheel, the tension in his knuckles obvious, but after a

started the car and

Traffic was horrendous.

carsick, but maybe it was the pregnancy-halfway

the window, her hair hiding half her

through two cycles before the cars in

traffic when

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

turned even whiter, her stomach twisting

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

around her, worry all over his face

felt so awful she couldn't even push

and she couldn't hold it

was a

Charles's face changed immediately.

herself for the disgust she knew was coming, sure he'd shove

didn't

cupped her face in his hands, not caring about the mess on

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

water bottle and held

felt like her

rinsed, but there

held out his hand for her to spit

She spat out the

the water again, helping her take a

didn't answer, just rested

dabbed the sweat from her forehead with another

turned away, avoiding

about to be sick again, Charles finally started dealing with

so focused on Evelyn

even noticed