The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Is this for me?" Evelyn asked, clearly surprised.

Brooks tilted his head, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Well, who else would I go through all this trouble for?" His eyes were full of open affection.

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat under his gaze. Flustered, she quickly averted her eyes, focusing on slipping on her shoes. "I wasn't overthinking anything!" she mumbled, trying to convince herself more than him.

"Of course, you weren't," Brooks teased, his smile widening.

Evelyn felt her ears heat up. She stood up, eager to escape his captivating gaze. Brooks followed her to the bathroom, running a warm bath for her. Once the water was ready, he added a few drops of her favorite essential oil.

Evelyn took the clothes they'd bought and sent them out for laundering. As she approached the bathroom door, she noticed how Brooks had thoughtfully prepared everything for her.

"The towels and robe are clean," he said, pointing to the soft, pastel blue set that seemed chosen just for her.

After ensuring Evelyn was comfortably settled in the bath, Brooks went to brew some calming herbal tea. Just then, he got a call from security downstairs, letting him know someone was at the entrance.

Brooks glanced out the window and spotted Charles standing there. His mood darkened as he recalled the scene from earlier that night when he saw Evelyn.

"Evelyn, I'm stepping out for a moment," Brooks called from the bathroom door before heading out.

Outside, Charles confronted him, "Where's Eve?" Clearly, he wasn't going to let Evelyn stay there overnight.

Without a word, Brooks landed a punch right on Charles' face. Charles, caught off guard and still shaky, couldn't dodge in time and took the hit. His expression turned colder as he wiped the blood from his lip and retaliated.

The two men exchanged blows, the sound of fists meeting flesh echoing in the night. Normally, Charles would have held his ground, but he was exhausted, taking more hits than he gave. Only when Charles was visibly worn out, staggering with a bruised face, did Brooks relent. Although he had taken a few hits himself, they weren't as severe as Charles'.

Brooks didn't intend to push things too far; he just wanted to stand up for Evelyn. Just as he was about to head back, he saw Evelyn hurrying down the stairs.

"Brooks, are you okay?" Evelyn called. She'd finished her bath and, noticing Brooks hadn't returned, got dressed, poured herself some tea, and sat on the balcony. From there, she'd seen the commotion below - two figures fighting, one of whom was Brooks, the other Charles. She couldn't tell who was winning, but she was worried for Brooks.

"Eve, come with me. I'll take you home. I promise I won't pressure you again," Charles pleaded, stepping forward.

Evelyn glanced at Brooks' swollen lip, then turned to Charles coldly. "Get out of here!"

"Charles, what right do you have to ask for my forgiveness?" Just

thinking about what had happer

made Evelyn furious. Forgive him? Not a chance.

"Get lost and don't show your face around me again!" she snapped.

"Brooks, let's ignore him. I'll help with your injuries," Evelyn said,

Brooks away withonet

leading Brooks away

Charles a second glance. belongs to

"Eve!" Charles reached out, but Brooks blocked him.

"Charles, can't you see Evelyn needs to rest?" Brooks said, effectively halting Charles.

Evelyn

Brooks went inside,

leaving Charles outside. Evelyn asked Brooks for the

aid

kit to tend to his wou et

As she patched him up, she scolded, "Why did you even bother with him?"

"I care about you," Brooks replied softly, meeting her eyes. Because he cared, he wanted to stand up for her.

Evelyn hesitated, touched by his words, and continued to gently tend to his bruises.

"It doesn't hurt, really," Brooks joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Evelyn shot him a look, then pressed a bit harder with the cotton swab.

"Ouch!" Brooks winced.

Evelyn eased up immediately, but teased him, "I thought you said it didn't hurt?"

"I was wrong!" Brooks quickly admitted, dropping all pretense.

Evelyn softened her touch, carefully tending to him. Meanwhile, her phone buzzed with messages from Charles, all apologies.noveldrama

After she finished with Brooks, she picked up her phone, didn't bother reading Charles' messages, and blocked his number.

"I've changed the mattress and bedding for you. Get a good night's sleep," Brooks said, guiding Evelyn to the master bedroom.