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

want to live under the same roof

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

but his tone left no

to repeat his past

time, he was

think it's a little late to start acting like a father? Where were you when I needed

him talk about responsibility. It just made her think of

furious gaze. "Eve, I regret what I

voice gentle. "What do you

right through

said no, he'd just use Adam's injury as

she was stuck-she'd have to live with Charles

took a

only a

grit her teeth and get

she could still end the pregnancy if she

waiting for an answer. Instead,

Her silence said everything.

to meet his eyes-as if even looking at him made her skin

understood-she was giving

she didn't answer his question

the driver's seat, fastened his seatbelt, and

changed; he'd left everything exactly as it

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