The Day Our Promise Breaks

But now, he might not even be able to keep his left leg.

Even if he could win Eve's forgiveness, he'd just become a burden-a cripple who would only hold her back.

He already owed Eve so much. How could he bear to drag her down further?

Letting go was the best thing he could do for her.

If she wanted to be with Brooks, then he'd become her shield, making sure no one dared look down on her.

That's why he forced himself to come here tonight.

Because he knew Mrs. Robinson would never easily approve of Eve and Brooks being together.

And he refused to let anyone belittle or trouble Eve.

Understanding this in his heart was one thing.

Actually letting go, for Charles, was pure agony.

This was the girl he'd set his heart on since he was ten years old.noveldrama

How could he really let her go?

But whether he wanted to or not, he had to.

Charles's clenched fists slowly relaxed. He forced himself to tear his gaze away from the sight of Evelyn's hand entwined with Brooks's, and looked up at Mrs. Robinson.

"Eve is the Jenkins family's Miss Evelyn. The Jenkins family will offer five percent of Jenkins Enterprises as her dowry."

A stunned silence fell over the room.

Five percent of Jenkins Enterprises...

Evelyn's first instinct was to refuse.

But Charles beat her to it, his voice low enough for only the three of them to hear.

"Eve, this is what I owe you-and Charlie. Don't say no."

"Everything I have it was always meant for you and Charlie."

Everything he'd worked for all these years had been for his Debbie.

He wanted to give her the best of everything.

That's why he pushed himself so hard.

Publicly, he said it was five percent.

But in his heart, now that Charlie was gone, everything he had belonged to Evelyn.

Without her, there would be no one else for him, not ever.

Evelyn fell silent.

There were too many things that couldn't be said in this setting.

And their past wasn't something to be discussed here.

Charles's lingering, reluctant gaze finally moved from Evelyn's face to Brooks.

His lips parted, then pressed together.

It took a long moment before he managed to squeeze out the words: "Take good care of Eve."

That was all. Charles had pushed himself to his limit.

He knew if he stayed any longer, he might collapse.

So, after one last lingering look at Evelyn, he signaled to Aiden to over the birthday gift for

inson. Content berselet

"Mrs. Robinson, happy birthday. Just a small token of respect."

It was a set of jewelry worth several million dollars.

A gesture to uphold Evelyn's honor.

After the gift was presented, he said, "I have some business to take care of. Please excuse me."

Before leaving, Charles glanced at Evelyn again, lingering just a heartbeat longer.

Then he walked away.

Charles was a master at hiding his pain.

So even though he was hurting more than anyone could imagine, no one around

him seemed to notice.

No one except Brooks and Evelyn.

Standing close, Evelyn caught the faint, metallic scent of blood.

She was certain it was coming from Charles.

Brooks, too, was watching Charles's leg.

Even though Charles walked as if nothing was wrong, his pace was painfully slow.

"Evelyn, let's walk your brother out."

Brooks understood that Charles was trying to support Evelyn in front of everyone. He didn't mind, but he also didn't want Evelyn to become the target of gossip.

With the Jenkins family behind her, no one would dare say a word.

This time, Evelyn didn't refuse.

She walked out with Brooks, following Charles out of the banquet hall.

Charles led the way, never once looking back.

Behind him, the couple's joined hands-

ene didn't dare glance, aset

just one look would drive a knife

through his heart.

The pain was excruciating.

They walked out into the night.

Charles's car was already waiting at the hotel entrance.

The driver opened the door.

As Charles bent to get into the car, Evelyn's eyes caught on the glaring scarlet on

the ground.

It was Charles's blood, dripping from his leg.

Unable to hold back any longer, Evelyn blurted out, "Charles, your leg-what

happened to you?"