The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles's movement as he got into the car noticeably faltered.

His large hand, braced on the car door for support, trembled.

That long-lost note of concern in Eve's voice crashed over Charles's heart like a tidal wave.

Eve still cared about him.

But the fleeting happiness lasted only a moment.

Bitterness followed right after.

Charles knew better than anyone: the only reason Evelyn-who'd always treated him so coldly—showed him any concern tonight was because he'd finally told her, in front of everyone, that she was now officially Ms. Evelyn Jenkins of the Jenkins family. She could finally let go and feel at ease.

She understood. By saying that, he was making it clear: he wouldn't trouble her anymore.

Afraid she'd notice anything unusual, Charles forced down the bitterness inside. He turned to Evelyn, his expression composed, and said, "It's nothing. I just scraped my leg a little a couple of days ago. No big deal."

Since he said that, Evelyn didn't press further.

She'd blurted the question out on instinct.

Whether he was hurt or not had nothing to do with her anymore.

But Charles's leg really couldn't hold up any longer. He offered Evelyn a gentle smile, then bent to get into the car.

As soon as the door shut, Charles's self-control crumbled.

Slumping back against the seat, his breathing turned ragged and harsh.

Aiden, witnessing it all, blanched.

He didn't dare delay any longer, slamming his foot on the gas as the car sped away from the manor.

Evelyn didn't watch the car leave.

The moment it disappeared, she pulled her gaze back-only to find Brooks still staring after it, his expression clouded with worry.

She asked, concern in her voice, "Brooks, what's wrong?"

Brooks snapped out of it, his tone gentle. "It's nothing."

"Tonight's your Aunt Josephine's birthday. You've been gone too long already. We should get back inside."

Evelyn didn't ask further and slipped her arm through his, letting Brooks lead her back into the house.

"Evelyn, I'm so sorry about earlier. I didn't know my mother would..."

Brooks trailed off, remembering how his mother had pretended to accept Evelyn in front of him, only to attack her at the dinner party, picking at her background. He felt nothing but guilt.

"Brooks, you don't have to apologize. I'm fine," Evelyn said softly, shaking her head.

She remembered all the kindness Brooks had shown her over the years. Especially that night, just over a month ago—the night of the fire.

She looked at Brooks, her voice earnest. "You risked your life for me. I'll do everything I can to make your family accept me too."

She would work hard to stand at the top of her field-not just to fulfill the dream she'd shared with Charlie, but also to become the partner Brooks deserved.

Brooks's eyes widened at her words, and in that instant, realization struck. Evelyn had misunderstood.

In the hospital, over a month ago, that look of gratitude in her eyes hadn't come from being moved by his sincerity-she thought he was the one who saved her.

Brooks's heart sank.

His grip on her hand unconsciously tightened.

Evelyn winced, her brow furrowing. "Brooks? What's wrong?"

A lump formed in Brooks's throat. After a long pause, he finally managed, "Evelyn, you agreed to be with me because you think I saved you that night, didn't you? If I hadn't, would you still have chosen me?"

Evelyn was caught off guard.

What kind of question was that?

There was no "if" in her mind.

She was about to ask Brooks why he'd say such a thing, but they'd already

returned to the ballroom-not the place for such a conversation.

Brooks hid his emotions well, but his heart felt heavier than ever.

His thoughts churned. As soon as he could, he made an excuse to step aside and

call his assistant, instructing him to look into Charles's condition.

Once off the phone, he returned to Evelyn's side.

Thanks to Charles's appearance, no one in the lavish ballroom dared look down on Evelyn anymore.

But Mrs. Robinson's dissatisfaction with Evelyn had never been just about her background.

That was only an excuse.

So, even though Evelyn had prepared a piece of jewelry she'd personally designed as a birthday gift for Mrs. Robinson, the older woman remained cold.

Brooks's face darkened.

He didn't want Evelyn to endure any more, so he took her hand and led her out. They had just gotten into the car when Brooks's phone buzzed.

It was his executive assistant, reporting back.

Brooks recalled seeing something wrong with Charles's leg, and remembered how, during the fire, Charles had pushed Evelyn toward him only to have his own leg trapped under a fallen cabinet.

The investigation confirmed his suspicions.

Charles had hidden news of his injury from everyone.

If Brooks hadn't specifically asked, he would never have known how badly

Charles had been hurt in that fire.

Nor did Evelyn.

Brooks glanced at Evelyn's profile.

He thought of the reason she'd agreed to be with him.

Now that he knew Evelyn was unaware it was Charles who'd saved her, Brooks also realized why Josephine had interrupted him in the hospital that day-she didn't want Evelyn to know the truth.

Josephine was on his side.

She wanted him and Eve to be together.

As long as he kept quiet, and with Charles's behavior tonight, it was clear Charlesnoveldrama

wouldn't tell her either.

Eve would never know the truth.

And once their love grew strong enough, even if she found out, it wouldn't matter anymore.

Evelyn sensed something was off with Brooks.

He'd been acting strange ever since Charles appeared.

"Brooks, why did you ask me that tonight?"

Brooks turned to her.

He took her hand in his, gazing deep into her eyes.

After an internal struggle, Brooks finally chose to tell her the truth. "Evelyn, you misunderstood. The one who risked everything and ran the fireto save you and Aunt Josephine that night... it wasn't me. It was Charles."

He loved her.

He wanted nothing more than to have her.

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But he didn't want their relationship to be built on a lie.

Eve had been hurt enough by Charles. Brooks couldn't bear to hurt her again

himself.

So for the second time, Brooks put the choice in Evelyn's hands.