The Day Our Promise Breaks

At that moment, she couldn't hold it in any longer. Overwhelmed, Evelyn slipped

into the kitchen, tears streaming down her face.

Charlie came looking for her.

He saw her crying.

"Mom, why are you crying?" he asked, his little voice full of concern.

Not wanting to shatter Charles's image in Charlie's heart, she forced herself to lie. "Mommy just accidentally pinched her hand, that's all."

Charlie believed her without question. He carefully took her hand in his, his brow furrowed with worry. "Here, Mommy, let me kiss it better. Then it won't hurt

anymore."

It was their special way-Evelyn and Charlie's-of showing they cared for each other.

Now, Evelyn found herself using the same gesture with Brooks.

"Mr. Brooks, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle as she hovered beside him.noveldrama

The nurse, startled, snapped out of her daze, flustered as she realized she'd been slow to react. Dealing with important people always made her nervous-one wrong move and she could get into serious trouble.

"I'm fine. It's not your fault," Brooks replied to the nurse, but his eyes never left Evelyn. His gaze was intense, filled with affection.

Seeing her looking at him with such concern made Brooks feel as if his heart had been dipped in honey.

The pain in his arm was nothing compared to this sweetness.

His mind could only echo one thought: The pain is worth it.

Brooks's gaze was so palpable that Evelyn couldn't help but notice. Suddenly, she realized what she had been doing-blowing softly on his wound the way she'd comforted Charlie. She froze, straightened up, and awkwardly shifted her feet on the tile floor.

"Evelyn, you're out of bed? Are you feeling alright?" Brooks's voice was warm, his eyes running over her, concern etched in every line of his face.

"I'm fine," Evelyn replied softly, shaking her head.

Still, her gaze lingered on his injured arm, worry clouding her features. "Is it serious? Will it affect your arm?"

She knew burns could sometimes lead to amputation if the injury was too severe.

"As long as you take good care of it, keep it clean, and avoid infection, there shouldn't be any lasting damage," the nurse answered reassuringly as she continued to tend to Brooks's wound.

Evelyn let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The nurse finished up quickly and excused herself, leaving the two of them alone.

Evelyn reached for Brooks's hospital gown, helping him slip his good arm through the sleeve, her movements gentle and tender.

Brooks's expression softened even more as he watched her. This side of Evelyn -so caring, so close-was almost more than he could bear.

He couldn't help himself; he caught Evelyn's hand in his, his gaze locking with hers, his voice low and hopeful. "Eve do you... maybe like me? Even just a little?"

The way she'd looked at him just now was something he'd never seen before.

Eve seemed to hesitate, her lips pressing together.

But this time, she didn't run away.

She met Brooks's deep, yearning eyes and gave the faintest, shyest nod.

"Evelyn!" Brooks breathed, his voice trembling with excitement. In that instant he pulled her gently, and

Evelyn tumbled into his arms, his single uninjured arm wrapping

tightly around her.

She didn't resist the embrace.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest.

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She couldn't help but think of last night-how Brooks had risked his life to save her and her mother. How could she not be moved by aman willing to give everything for her?

Neither of them noticed Charles sitting outside in his wheelchair.

The moment Evelyn nodded, Charles felt his heart plummet into an endless abyss.

His large hand fell to the burn on his thigh.

Slowly, he clenched his fist.

Inside, the pair held each other for a long, long time.

Outside, Charles sat just as still, unable to look away from the sight of Evelyn

leaning so trustingly into Brooks's arms.

That trust, that dependence, had once belonged to him alone.

But now, he'd truly lost her.