The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 611

The night was deep and quiet.

Evelyn couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, then finally slipped out of bed, drove off into the darkness, and made her way to Charlie's grave.

As she drew near, she spotted a familiar silhouette, half-kneeling in front of the headstone.

It was Charles.

Maybe he felt her there, because he turned and their eyes met, holding for a beat.

When he realized it was really her, his face changed. He tried to stand, but he'd been kneeling too long-his legs gave out, and he stumbled back down, his knees hitting the ground hard.

He didn't even pause to catch his breath. Pushing himself up with the help of the headstone, Charles walked over and slipped his coat off, draping it over Evelyn's shoulders.

She flinched away on instinct.

A flicker of pain crossed his face. In a soft voice, he said, "Eve, that's all it is. I'm not here to make things harder for you. It's freezing up here, and after everything you've been through, you shouldn't be out in this wind. Just wear it until we get down the hill. You can give it back after, okay?"

Evelyn didn't protest. That was answer enough.

Charles quickly settled the coat around her, shielding her from the mountain's chill. His touch was gentle. As he adjusted the coat, his hand brushed against the back of hers. His fingers were icy cold-he must've been here a long time.

Evelyn said nothing. She walked to the grave and arranged the things she'd brought: a bunch of fresh lilies, a small teddy bear, and a slice of apple pie.

She stared at the photo on the headstone-a five-year-old boy's face, smiling forever in that single moment.

Her heart finally stilled.

knew she hadn't

her

this much time together

didn't

Evelyn was still weak.

was a struggle. Charles crouched in front of her, looking up. "Eve, let me carry

and drawn, the bandage still on his

seen him earlier at

and the way he looked

Charles really

Just as she'd wanted.

before she could choose. She needed

she'd finally gotten her

he'd

so close, she noticed the strands of white in his hair. When had he started going gray, just like

couldn't say what

climbed onto his back, letting him carry

his back, Charles held

moved slowly, one step at

she

when she lived in the group home, her health had always been fragile. Her first period came late, and when it finally did, she stained her school uniform.

she slumped over

was about

starting to have feelings for him, and facing him now just made

kept her head down, mumbling that she was fine