The Day Our Promise Breaks

Brooks's words hit Evelyn like a tidal wave, breaking down the dam of her emotions. She choked out, tears streaming down her face, "I'm so sorry, Charlie. I don't deserve to be your mom!"

"If you don't deserve to be, then why would Charlie choose to be your daughter again in another life? Because to her, you're the best mom," Brooks reassured her, sitting by the bed with a gentle yet firm voice.

"No... I'm not... I'm useless. I couldn't even get justice for her. How can I call myself her mom?" Evelyn murmured, closing her eyes in pain.

When the word 'revenge' came up, Brooks was taken aback. Had Charlie really been killed by someone? He didn't want to focus on who could do such a thing; he just wanted to help Evelyn find her strength again.

"Evelyn, if you just give up and let Charlie's killer walk free, that's truly letting her down," Brooks continued. "You're Charlie's mom. You can't let fear or despair take you down. You need to stay strong, live on, and seek justice for Charlie."

"Charlie needs you, her mom, to fight for her. No matter how tough it gets, you have to keep going," he urged. "Even if you feel like giving up, at least wait until you've avenged her. Otherwise, how will you face her?"

Each word Brooks spoke seemed to pierce Evelyn's soul. He was right; she hadn't avenged Charlie yet. How could she ever face her daughter? But how could she even begin to get revenge? She felt utterly lost and desperate.

Evelyn bit down on her lip, tears silently pouring down. Brooks pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back. She leaned against his shoulder, letting the tears flow until she slowly calmed down.

"Thank you, Brooks," she said softly, pulling away from his shoulder. Brooks took out a handkerchief and tenderly wiped her tears away. Evelyn instinctively wanted to stop him, but the kindness in his eyes held her back. She was dazed, unsure of what to make of this gentle care.

They were just pretending to be a couple, after all. With Rosa gone, she wasn't the Jenkins family's fifth daughter anymore, and she thought she no longer had a role in his life. So why was he still being so kind?

"Evelyn, there's something I need to tell you," Brooks began, knowing it wasn't the perfect moment, but after nearly losing her, he didn't want to hold back any longer. His gaze softened, and he revealed the feelings he'd kept hidden for so long.

"That day in the car, when I said I needed someone to help with family pressures, I lied. The only reason I agreed to the blind date was because it was you. Evelyn, I like you."

He didn't say 'love,' fearing that might be too heavy for Evelyn, who was already dealing with so much.

Evelyn was taken aback. The simple admission of 'like' left her overwhelmed. She had wondered before, especially when he helped her without hesitation time and again. She thought maybe he was just interested in her. But then he mentioned someone he had liked for a long time, and she dismissed the idea. With Charlie gone, love was the last thing on her mind. She never expected Brooks to confess like this.

"I..." Evelyn started, instinctively wanting to turn him down.

"You don't have to rush to reject me," Brooks said gently. "I know you're not in the right place for this, not with everything about Charlie still unresolved. I just wanted you to know you're not alone. You have me."

Evelyn shook her head, not wanting to drag Brooks into her mess. To her, he was just a kind man who had helped her, and she was grateful. She didn't want to burden him with her troubles.

"This is my choice, Evelyn. You don't need to feel guilty," Brooks assured her, softly touching her head. "Right now, focus on resting and getting better. Together, we'll seek justice for Charlie."

With that, he tucked her in, not giving her a chance to argue. "Get some sleep. I'll be here with you," he said softly.

In the warmth of Brooks's voice,

Evelyn's eyes slowly closed. She felt his hand holding hers-she should

have pulled away, but his warmth

was comforting, so she let it be As be! his lullaby filled the room, she drifted into sleep. The tune was familiar, yet she couldn't recall where she'd heard it before.

...

At the Jenkins Estate, Charles had been awake for a full day and night. He returned to his room, took a shower, and as he emerged, his phone rang. It was Aiden.

Charles quickly picked up. Aiden had been reluctant to share the news, but Mr. Jenkins had instructed him to find out about Miss Sandy's kidney donor and report back immediately.

"Mr. Jenkins, I've found something. The kidney you secured for Miss Sandy originally belonged to... Miss Charlie," Aiden reported, his words hitting like a bolt of lightning.

Charles staggered back, collapsing onto the sofa as Aiden's revelation spun in his mind. The kidney was Charlie's-it wasn't unclaimed. It had been hers.

He recalled Evelyn telling him how she

been

only foring for a kidney,

to be taken from her.

Charlie's chance at life was stolen, leading to her tragic end on the operating table. If the kidney hadn't been taken, Charlie might have survived. noveldrama

Realization hit Charles like a knife to the heart. He had been complicit in Charlie's

death. Overcome with anguish, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.