The Day Our Promise Breaks

She didn't shy away from his closeness—his hugs, his hand-holding. She never pushed him away. But when it came to anything beyond that, well... Brooks could feel Evelyn's hesitation. It wasn't like he hadn't tried; Evelyn was aware of it too.

Everything about the moment screamed romance, yet Evelyn was no longer the relaxed woman she usually was around him. She seemed tense, wound up tight. Deep down, Brooks knew that if he leaned in for a kiss, Evelyn wouldn't stop him. But he just couldn't bring himself to push her even a little.

So, he paused, stepping back to a spot where Evelyn seemed at ease, not moving an inch further. He was willing to wait.

Evelyn heard Brooks's question and posed one to herself in her mind. Do I like him? She did, but not in the way Brooks hoped for. She had once loved Charles with such intensity, pouring everything she had into him. Her whole world had revolved around him. Because she had loved like that before, she was more certain than ever that she didn't feel that way about Brooks-not yet, anyway.

"Bit by bit, one day you'll fall for me," Brooks said, not pressing her for an answer. He let go of her, fastening her seatbelt instead. That was where his confidence lay. Once the issues with Charles were settled and Evelyn could truly open her heart, he was determined to be the man she loved.

At the hospital, after breakfast, Brooks and Evelyn were there for Josephine's surgery. Last night, Charles had called Dr. Nelson right in front of her, confirming that he would be the one to operate on her mother. But when Evelyn met Andrew, it wasn't to go over surgery details. Instead, he informed her, "Ms. Evelyn, your mother's surgery can't happen today. It's been pushed to next month."

Evelyn's demeanor changed instantly, anger welling up in her reddening eyes. Brooks's expression hardened, his usual calm demeanor slipping. He grabbed Andrew's collar, looking ready to throw a punch.

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Evelyn reached out quickly, stopping Brooks, her eyes still blazing. "Dr. Nelson, you're a doctor! How can you play with my mother's life like this? Do you even honor the Hippocratic oath hanging behind you?" Just days ago, they said her mother urgently needed surgery. Now it's been delayed a whole month.

"Ms. Evelyn, I..." Andrew, feeling cornered, was about to explain when a deep, cold voice cut in, "Andrew."

It was Charles. Andrew turned to Charles, clearly confused why he was being

silenced. Charles glanced at him sharply, signaling him to stay quiet. As their eyes met, Brooks released Andrew and swung around, landing a punch right on Charles's face.

Charles hadn't seen it coming, and the hit landed solidly. His handsome face darkened as he moved to retaliate, but Evelyn quickly stepped between them, protecting Brooks instinctively. That move only made the coldness in Charles's eyes deepen. He stared at Evelyn, who was again shielded by Brooks, and suddenly dropped his hand.

Wiping the blood from his lip, Charles looked at Evelyn, a cool, detached smile playing on his lips "Come here." Brooks held Evelyn's hand tightly, keeping her behind him. Charles ignored Brooks, his gaze locked on Evelyn. "I said come here. Don't make me say it a third time." noveldrama

He was laying down a threat.