The Day Our Promise Breaks

Evelyn's breathing came in sharp, uneven bursts.

There was nothing left to say to Charles.

She kept her face cold and unreadable, pushed him away, and reached for the door to leave.

But Charles caught her hand.

With a quiet, stubborn pull, he drew her back as the car door clicked shut.

"Charles, I already agreed to keep the baby. What else do you want from me?!”

Evelyn glared, her eyes burning with anger.

"Eve, when you were pregnant with Charlie, I failed you. I missed everything. I won't do that again—not this time."

"I'll take care of you. And the baby."

Charlie was the regret that would haunt Charles for the rest of his life.

This time, he was determined to get it right.

"I don't need you to."

Evelyn understood what he was really saying he wanted her to move in with him.

She didn't even have to think before refusing.

"Charles, I said I'd keep this baby. I never agreed to move into your house."

that was all she'd

couldn't get away fast

live under the

need this. This is my child, too. I have a responsibility, and I'm not

words were soft, but his tone

wasn't going to repeat his past

time, he

to start acting like

talk about responsibility. It just made her think

with pain as he met her furious gaze. "Eve, I regret what

then changed the subject, his voice gentle.

right through

would go. If she said no, he'd just use Adam's

to ignore Adam's recovery, she was stuck-she'd have to live with

took a long,

was only a

grit her teeth and get

could still end the pregnancy

waiting for an answer. Instead, Evelyn

Her silence said everything.

to meet his eyes-as if even looking at him

understood-she was

answer his question about lunch, he

driver's seat, fastened his seatbelt,

hadn't changed; he'd left everything exactly

carefully lifted her from the car, carried her upstairs, and settled her onto the bed in the master