The Day Our Promise Breaks

The car door swung open, and Charles reached out to give Evelyn a hand, but she shrugged him off. She staggered out on her own, making her way to the roadside trash bin to throw up. Once she was done, she felt a bit more clear- headed. Charles was right there, silently offering her a bottle of water. Without arguing, she took it-her mouth tasted awful.

As she reached for the bottle, her eyes caught sight of the scars on her wrist. She didn't bother trying to hide them; the bracelet had slipped up, and she figured Charles had already noticed. Momentarily taken aback, she composed herself, took the water, and rinsed her mouth.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" Charles asked, his voice low and concerned.

Evelyn let out a bitter laugh. "Tell you? What difference would it make?"

"Are you going to make Dahlia beg for forgiveness, or maybe you'll be kind enough to spare my mom and me?"

"You won't!"

Her words were dripping with sarcasm. "Charles, if you're going to act like a monster, don't pretend to have a heart. That's not you."

Two years ago, when Charlie had just passed, she still had a sliver of hope for Charles. But time had shown her otherwise. She realized she shouldn't have seen him as anything other than who he was. Now, two years later, she was done being naive and clinging to false hopes.

Charles pressed his lips into a thin line and didn't argue. He simply said, "Get in the car."

Evelyn's mocking smile grew wider. Resisting was pointless. Her mother's life was a card he held, and she couldn't afford to gamble. The alcohol still in her system, Evelyn wobbly made her way back to the car. Charles followed closely behind until they were both inside, driving back to his place in silence.

After her shower, Evelyn stepped out of the bathroom. Charles, who had just finished his shower in the guest room, heard her and came over, intending to carry her back to bed. He was startled by how pale she looked.

"Eve, what's wrong?"

Charles moved quickly, wrapping her in his arms. Her hands were ice-cold, a far cry from someone who'd just had a hot shower. His brow knitted in concern as he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.

"Is it your time of the month?" he asked cautiously, remembering it was supposed to be a week away.

Evelyn didn't reply, just curled up into

a ball. Her health had been fragile since childhood, and despite efforts to help, her body stayed cold-natured. Every period was agony, and painkillers had long lost their effect; she had to tough it out each time.

Seeing her in such pain, Charles's frown deepened. He left the room and called for advice on how to ease menstrual cramps. He was toldnoveldrama

medication might help. Without.ne

hesitation, he arranged for

painkillers and a heating pad to be sent over.

In the fog of her pain, Evelyn heard Charles and opened her eyes to see him with medicine and a glass of warm water. She couldn't be bothered to tell him the painkillers wouldn't work but took them anyway, then shut her eyes again.

Charles gently lifted her shirt to place the heating pad on her abdomen. But seeing no relief in her, he warmed his hands and placed them over her belly.

Evelyn lay still, her eyes closed. Time dragged on and the meds should've worked by now, but her pain only got worse, her lips losing all color. Charles's frown deepened further. He couldn't stand it anymore. Grabbing a coat, he wrapped her in it, lifted her once more, and headed out to take her to the hospital.