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."

all she'd ever

couldn't get

live under the same roof

I need this. This is my child, too. I have a responsibility,

were soft, but his tone

to repeat his past

he

late to start acting like a

responsibility. It just made her

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

exhaled, then changed the subject, his voice gentle. "What do you want for

right

said no, he'd just use Adam's

was stuck-she'd have to live with Charles for the next

took a long, steadying

only a

could grit her teeth and

hand healed, she could still

answer. Instead, Evelyn quietly buckled her

Her silence said everything.

eyes-as if even looking at him

understood-she was giving

question

his seatbelt, and started the car, heading

house hadn't changed; he'd left everything

they pulled up, Evelyn was fast asleep. Charles didn't wake her. He carefully lifted her from the car, carried her upstairs, and settled her onto the bed in