The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Adam!"

Evelyn's eyes lit up the second she saw him. She hurried straight over, gaze dropping to his right hand-the one that had been injured. It was tucked into his sleeve, and she couldn't tell how well it had healed.

"Your hand..." she asked softly.

Just a few days ago, when she'd called him overseas, he was still finishing up treatment. Now he'd shown up early, completely unannounced, and Evelyn felt a little anxious.

"Don't worry, it's as good as new," Adam said.

"Really?" Evelyn reached out, gently holding his wrist, careful not to squeeze.

"Want to test it out? I could swing you around to prove it," Adam joked, flexing his arm. Years of training had left his muscles hard and capable, and he was clearly showing off.

Evelyn rolled her eyes, knowing he was just teasing, but relief settled over her. His hand was fine. Her worries melted away.

"Come on, let's go. Mom's got dinner waiting," Adam said, handing her a helmet.

Evelyn was about to climb onto the motorcycle when Rosie came over, polite but firm. "Ms. Evelyn, where are you headed? I can drive you."

Usually, Charles picked Evelyn up after work. But today, knowing Adam was back, Charles stayed away and told Rosie to look after Evelyn, to keep her safe and in sight.

"Evelyn, who's this?" Adam asked, glancing at Rosie. She looked like she was there for security.

He figured Brooks must've sent her and didn't think much of it. "Tell Mr. Brooks to relax-I'm not about to hurt his favorite."

Rosie immediately understood who Adam meant. She started to reply, but Evelyn cut her off. "I'm riding with Adam."

"Ms. Evelyn..." Rosie hesitated, worry written all over her face. Evelyn was pregnant, and Rosie wasn't sure the bike was a good idea.

"I'm not repeating myself," Evelyn said, cool and final.

Rosie knew how much Charles cared about Evelyn, but seeing her insist, she backed down without another word.

Adam could sense the awkwardness between Evelyn and her bodyguard, but he didn't ask. He helped Evelyn with her helmet, and the two of them climbed onto the motorcycle.

They pulled away smoothly, with Rosie following close behind in the SUV Charles had specially fitted for Evelyn's comfort.

"Mom."

When they arrived, Josephine was already waiting at the door. She saw Evelyn and Adam-no Charles-and let out a barely audible sigh.

Not long ago, she'd found out Evelyn was pregnant with Charles's baby again. Her feelings were tangled. The child was innocent, but the grief over Charlie still hung between Evelyn and Charles. Having another baby wouldn't fix what was broken. If anything, it might just hurt Evelyn more.

If Evelyn wanted to end the pregnancy, Josephine respected her choice. But then Evelyn changed her mind-she couldn't let go of the baby and decided to keep it. She wanted to give things with Charles another shot.noveldrama

Josephine asked if Evelyn was sure. Evelyn said she was, and Josephine agreed, not realizing that Charles was using Adam to threaten her again. Evelyn didn't want Josephine worrying herself sick.

That night, Evelyn and Adam stayed over at Josephine's place. Josephine had always treated Adam like family-he even had his own room there.

Later, after Josephine had gone to bed, Adam found Evelyn and finally got the whole story. Even if she hadn't spelled it out, Adam would have figured it out-Evelyn would only stay with Charles if he was holding something over her. And his hand was the only leverage Charles had left.

"Adam, it's okay. I've got it all worked out. Now that your hand's healed, I'm going to the hospital tomorrow I'll end this pregnancy and cut ties with Charles for good." She was determined not to give Charles another chance to control her.

Charles waited outside all night, not leaving until the light in Evelyn's window finally went out.

The next morning, Evelyn saw Charles waiting downstairs, just like she expected. She knew he was there, but didn't feel even a flicker of desire to invite him up.

He offered to drive her, and she didn't say no.

At the studio, Charles watched her go inside, saw nothing out of the ordinary. He reminded Rosie once more to keep an eye on her, then headed to work.

Halfway there, Rosie called. Evelyn was gone.

Charles's face went white.

He demanded to know where she'd last been seen, then immediately started making calls, pulling every string he had to find her.

Last time, he'd managed to track her down fast because someone had been shadowing her movements. This time, it wasn't going to be so easy.

Charles put all his connections to work.

Two hours later, he finally got a lead.

He called the hospital director, begging him to do anything-just stall, just stop Evelyn from going through with the abortion. Then he tore off toward the hospital, driving as fast as he could.

But before he got there, the director called back.

The procedure had already started.

His Charlie was gone.