The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 683

Memories—every single one—came rushing back, clear as day.

Those months in Twin Bridges, with Charles—her Iceman who did whatever she asked, sheltered her, promised her forever. She'd let herself forget him.

After her foster mother and Rosa brought her back to the Jenkins family, she'd lived on eggshells, never sure of her place, careful with every move. Sena mocked and bullied her, but Charles always stepped up, never hesitating to defend her. When she got sick, he'd stay up all night by her side. When trouble found her, he'd show up, teach her how to fight back, remind her—he'd always be there for her.

Every little thing he did sunk deeper into her heart, until she couldn't imagine him not being there.

She had loved Charles with everything she had, once. And then she despised him—wished him gone— because he'd favored Dahlia and her mother, and Charlie had paid the price.

She'd held onto that hate for so long.

So now, even with Charlie safe, even knowing Charles was truly sorry and desperately trying to make things right, her love for him hurt too much. The wounds ran too deep. She honestly didn't want to love him anymore. Forgiveness? She'd never even let herself consider it. She couldn't face what she felt.

But now, hearing Charles was gone, Evelyn broke down completely, sobbing until she couldn't breathe. Only now did she realize: beneath all that anger, the love she'd once carved into her bones had never really left. It was just buried beneath all her scars.

“Ms. Evelyn, you should go in and see Charles, one last time.”

Andrew's voice was heavy, and the words "one last time” hit Evelyn like a punch. Her legs felt like lead as she stepped into the room.

There he was, eyes closed, pale as a ghost, tubes snaking everywhere—so still she could barely sense he was there at all.

"Charles..." she choked out.

Nothing.

skin was cold.

death, what grudge could possibly matter

voice trembling so only he could hear,

wake up, I promise, we'll start again. We'll give

back of his hand. Evelyn knew it was too late for promises now, but she didn't know

was crying so hard, she didn't

slowly, Charles opened

weak, but

force had lit him up

hope glimmered in

actually heard

If he woke up, they could start over, give

a whisper, as if afraid it was

her name, she

were shining

it? You really

her hand as hard as he could, hope burning in his eyes, needing to hear her say it again, just to