The Day Our Promise Breaks

Evelyn didn't waste time wondering why Charles hadn't made a move the night before. She shrugged off the covers, got dressed, and made her way out.noveldrama

...

In a hurry to leave, Evelyn was almost out of the neighborhood when she reached into her bag for her phone to call a ride. In her rush, she'd tossed her phone into her bag without checking it, not realizing it had shut off. As soon as she powered it back on, an unknown number flashed on the screen.

She quickly dismissed the call and opened her ride-hailing app. By that time, she'd reached the neighborhood entrance. Just as she was about to book a ride, a familiar Maybach pulled up in front of her.

The door swung open, and Brooks stepped out. Evelyn paused, clearly caught off guard. She hadn't expected Brooks to be waiting there. Seeing the dark circles and redness around his eyes, it was obvious he hadn't slept a wink.

Guilt weighed on her, and she softly said, "Brooks, I'm sorry."

Their relationship was undefined. To Evelyn, Brooks was a crucial part of her life, but not in a romantic way. It wasn't that she still pined for Charles and couldn't fall for someone else. Her heart had been too wrapped up in the loss of Charlie and her grandmother for the past two years. Love was the last thing on her mind.

Her heart's door was firmly shut. She knew Brooks genuinely cared for her, but until she avenged Charlie, she couldn't move on. They weren't officially a couple, so she didn't owe Brooks any explanations. Yet, seeing him wait outside all night stirred something inside her.

She had thought that once she got her revenge, if Brooks was still around, she might give a relationship a shot. But now... she wasn't so sure if he was willing to wait.

"What do you fancy for breakfast?" Brooks asked, as if everything was perfectly normal. He gently took her cold hand, leading her to the car and helping her in.

Evelyn felt a pang of emotion. Once they were both inside, she spoke up, "Nothing happened between Charles and me last night."

Brooks was in the middle of fastening her seatbelt, and her words made him pause. He remembered the photos Charles had sent, showing Evelyn leaning on him, an image that pierced his heart.

He understood Evelyn's past with Charles, but that was history. Now, the thought of her getting close to someone else ate at him. Jealousy, envy, and heartache were hard to shake off.

He spent a restless night, unsure how he made it through. Finding Charles and Evelyn wasn't hard, nor would it have been difficult to confront them. But he chose not to intrude. By the time he figured out where they were, an hour had passed, and whatever happened had happened. Barging in would only have embarrassed Evelyn.

So, he waited outside, tormented by his thoughts. Hearing Evelyn's explanation; he suddenly pulled her into an embrace. Leaning close, he whispered in her ear, "Evelyn, have you started to like me a little?"

By "like," he meant in the way a woman might like a man. He always knew she didn't love him, not even in the slightest romantic sense. Her hugs with him were as platonicas those with Adam. There was no romance, no flutter of excitement. She was simply grateful for his kindness, considering him someone very important in her life.