The Day Our Promise Breaks

She couldn't help the ache in her chest for this child.

But because the baby was Charles's, keeping it was never an option she allowed herself.

She'd put off the procedure-partly because her body needed time to recover, and partly because of the engagement. She'd planned to wait until after the engagement to go through with it, worried the recovery would interfere with the ceremony. But now, with the engagement nowhere on the horizon, Evelyn made up her mind: she'd get the abortion first, cut off any hope Charles had of getting back together.

When she told the doctor she wanted to schedule the procedure, the doctor tried to talk her out of it. Evelyn wouldn't be swayed. Dr. Shaw eventually just nodded and set the time. "If you're sure, tomorrow morning at nine."

"Thank you, Dr. Shaw," Evelyn murmured, ending the call.

She'd thought about the pill, but after Charlie died, she hadn't slept-she'd taken too much melatonin, and later, too many antidepressants. Now her body couldn't handle a medical abortion.

Evelyn barely slept that night.

The next morning, she didn't go home-she didn't want to worry her mother. Instead, she stayed at her own apartment.

She needed someone to go with her, so she called Rosie, her assistant. Rosie practically worshipped her, and Evelyn trusted her completely.

At the hospital, Evelyn accepted the consent form from the doctor. Her fingers tightened around the pen, but she didn't give herself a chance to hesitate. Lips pressed together, she signed her name in one quick stroke.

When it was time, Evelyn went to change into a hospital gown. Before she could, a young nurse came over and told her there was a small issue with the pre-op prep, and she'd need to wait a little longer. They asked her to sit outside the operating room.

"Evelyn, don't be scared." Rosie's own hands were clammy with nerves, but she squeezed Evelyn's hand, trying to be brave for both of them.

Evelyn wanted to comfort Rosie, but she couldn't even force a smile. She just squeezed back and looked down.

let herself do that in weeks-every day, she reminded herself to ignore the

terrified that one soft touch, one tiny moment of connection, would let her love overwhelm her sense. That she'd end up keeping the

world, forcing her to grow up in a broken home, to suffer through so much pain. She couldn't do it again. She couldn't let another child be born into that kind of life-parents who didn't love each other, a home where

of her eyes.

a moment, she let her hand fall

taken in when she saw him—a tall silhouette

Charles.

nurse's delay wasn't real.

up and grabbed Rosie's

way she was

But Charles's stride was too long-he caught up easily and grabbed

in front of her. "Let go of

when she met Charles's eyes, her

something about him-cold,

before tugging Evelyn into

Evelyn struggled, but he

be brave. "Let her go or I'm calling the

Go back to

Evelyn forced herself

She didn't want to make

Mrs. Robinson

picture-no need