The Day Our Promise Breaks

The moment Evelyn fell into his arms, the hollow ache in Charles's heart finally disappeared.

Holding Evelyn felt like he was cradling the whole world.

He couldn't help it-his eyes turned misty.

Everything he'd once brushed off now felt like a gift from the heavens, something

he'd wanted so badly but never thought he'd have.

He didn't want to sleep.

He just lowered his gaze and watched her quietly,

tracing the lines of Evelyn's face with his eyes, over and over again.

He could never get enough.

His heart fluttered, soft ripples spreading inside him.

Unable to help himself, he dipped his head.

A gentle kiss landed right between Evelyn's brows.

He held back, barely letting his lips touch her skin.

The second he kissed her, he pulled away, worried he'd wake her up.

He was afraid this perfect happiness might vanish like a dream, crumbling in a heartbeat.

That night, Evelyn was completely worn out from driving to find Brooks and back.

She slept soundly in Charles's arms.

But Charles didn't sleep at all.

He lay awake, watching her all night.

Stealing kisses whenever he could.

He watched her until night melted into morning,

until sunlight washed over the room.

As dawn broke, Charles reluctantly let go of her, careful not to wake her or make her feel smothered.

He got up, but before leaving, he couldn't resist pressing one last, feather-light kiss to her lips,

breathing her in, savoring her nearness.

Their lips touched, and it took everything in him not to deepen the kiss-

he just stayed there for a long moment, then finally let go.

Evelyn woke up about half an hour later.

Her eyes fluttered open.

Half asleep, she reached up and touched her lips, sure she could still feel Charles's warmth there.

She glanced around the room-no sign of Charles.

The sheets beside her were perfectly smooth, not a wrinkle in sight.

She must've been imagining things.

Evelyn didn't want her mind running wild about Charles. She tossed off the covers and got up to wash. Gontent

Downstairs,

she found Charles wasn't alone innoveldrama

the

a room. Another girl was

there maybe just out of her

with a blank expression.

Charles was sitting.

The girl stood to the side, face emotionless.

When Evelyn walked in, both of them looked over at her.

Charles stood up and hurried over.

"Eve, this is Rosie. She'll be with you from now on. She'll keep you

and when I'm not around, sheveget

take

care of you."

Evelyn understood right away-Rosie was Charles's way of keeping tabs on her,

making sure she couldn't sneak off and end the pregnancy.

She didn't argue.

She knew Charles well enough to know that once he made a decision, there was no changing his mind.

And until Adam's hand healed, she wasn't planning on getting the procedure done anyway.

She wasn't about to push Charles over the edge or give him a reason to lose it. "Ms. Evelyn."

Rosie's tone was frosty, but polite.

Evelyn wasn't happy with Charles, but she had nothing against Rosie.

She just nodded in reply.

Seeing Evelyn accept Rosie, Charles finally let himself relax.

He wished he could keep Evelyn by his side every moment,

personally making sure she ate and rested.

But she had her own life and work.

He couldn't be there every second.

So he arranged for Rosie-someone capable, someone who'd look after Evelyn

when he couldn't,

making sure she didn't get so busy she forgot to eat.

It gave him peace of mind.

From then on, Rosie stuck close to Evelyn.

A little over two weeks later,

Evelyn left her studio.

As soon as she stepped outside, she spotted a motorcycle parked by the curb.

A familiar figure leaned against it.

When he saw her, he raised an eyebrow.