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.

nose stung. She hadn't let herself do that in weeks-every day, she reminded herself to ignore the life growing inside her. That was the

moment of connection, would let her love overwhelm her sense. That she'd end up keeping

she regretted bringing her into 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 happiness and

her eyes.

she let her hand fall away, pulled herself together, and

be taken in when she saw him—a tall silhouette

Charles.

sense. The nurse's delay wasn't real. It was a setup a stall until Charles could get

up and grabbed

she was having the procedure here today. No point in

still clueless but careful, supported Evelyn as she hurried away. But Charles's stride was too long-he caught up easily and grabbed Evelyn's

of

met Charles's eyes, her breath caught and

was something about him-cold, almost

at Rosie before tugging Evelyn into his

struggled, but

voice shaking, tried to be brave. "Let her

fine. Go

forced herself

She didn't want to make

Mrs. Robinson

picture-no need for