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

couldn't get away

want to live under the same roof

my child, too. I have a responsibility, and I'm not walking away

soft, but his tone left no room for

going to repeat his past

he

think it's a little late to start acting like a father? Where

responsibility. It just made

filled with pain as he met her furious gaze. "Eve, I regret what I did every single day. I can't

his voice gentle.

saw right through

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

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

took a long,

was only

could grit her teeth

could still end the pregnancy if

answer. Instead, Evelyn quietly buckled

Her silence said everything.

his eyes-as if even looking

was giving

didn't answer his question about lunch, he didn't

into the driver's seat, fastened his seatbelt, and started the

old house hadn't changed; he'd

pulled up, Evelyn was fast asleep. Charles didn't wake her. He carefully lifted her from the car, carried her