The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn)

Charles never felt the need to force himself on her. Over the last five years, their most intimate moments were in bed. He knew her body better than she did. Teasing her was second nature to him. But tonight was different...

loved him. But the reality hit hard. Her body was as cold as her words.

Charles replayed Evelyn's reaction in the car. He'd tried every move he had. Yet, she still pushed him away. His heart was pounding. He was desperate to prove something. It felt like if he could show that her body was more honest than her words, it would mean she still Did this mean she truly didn't love him anymore? Charles refused to accept that. No way.

---

Brooks made sure Evelyn got home safely. Once inside, he helped her to the couch and then headed to the kitchen. He poured a glass of water, added a dash of honey, and handed it to her. "Here, have some water."

Evelyn took the glass and sipped slowly, the warmth soothing her nerves. "Brooks, thank you for tonight." If he hadn't shown up, she would have been trapped.

"I'm just glad you're okay." Brooks wanted to reach out and gently pat her hair, but instead, he held back, clenching his fist.

Evelyn calmed herself and looked up at him. "Brooks, this is Charles' hair..." She opened her hand to show several strands, some still with bits of scalp. She'd pulled them during her struggle with Charles. "Could you help me get a paternity test done between him and Sandy?"

"Of course." Just like when she asked for Sandy's blood sample, Brooks didn't pry. He could understand her intentions clearly: she no longer loved Charles. That meant there was a chance for him. But he also knew she wasn't ready for a relationship now. He could wait. He had been waiting for years.

Brooks carefully took the hair samples and put them away. Sensing the exhaustion in Evelyn's eyes, he didn't linger. "You need to get some rest."

Evelyn walked him to the door and closed it behind him. Instead of going to her room, she went into Charlie's room.

Brooks headed downstairs. Charles'

car was still

Hearked outside Evelyn's

building. He was leaning against it, coat draped over his shoulders, a cigarette in his hand. The ground was littered with cigarette butts. As Brooks walked past, Charles eyes were dark and brooding.

"Brooks, whether in the past, present, or future, Eve is mine."

"Charles, Evelyn isn't your possession," Brooks replied coolly.

"She belongs to me!" Charles' voice was commanding and unyielding. He couldn't let go of Evelyn. They had a daughter, Charlie.

"Mr. Jenkins, no one waits forever. You've already lost her."

Brooks didn't see the point in

arguing further. He walked to his car and got in but didn't drive away right away. He watched Charles from

distance, Charles stayed the net?

leaning against his car, eyes fixed on Evelyn's building. His phone was inside the car and keptnoveldrama

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ringing-Dahlia's calls were ignored.

Brooks had told him he'd lost her. How could that be?

The two men stayed until dawn's light broke, one in his car and the other outside. Then they left, one after the other. Brooks went straight to the hospital with the samples, He handed them to a friend and asked for a rush on the results. Ignoring his friend's teasing, he insisted on being notified as soon as they were ready.

By the afternoon, Brooks got the call. He drove over, picked up the results, and brought them to Evelyn. She opened the envelope, and just as expected, Sandy was not Charles' biological daughter.