The Day Our Promise Breaks

That afternoon, the doctor gave Evelyn a once-over and thankfully, she was in the clear. Brooks took care of all the discharge paperwork, and soon they were

headed to a restaurant known for its light, delicate flavors. Brooks kept piling food onto Evelyn's plate, even though she wasn't quite hungry. Still, she managed to eat a fair bit.

Once they were back in the car, Brooks, with a voice as soft as a summer breeze, asked, "Evelyn, can I go see Charlie?"

While Evelyn had been asleep, Brooks had watched a video from Charlie's daycare a few times, earbuds in, trying to soak up every detail. Maybe it was because he cared for Evelyn and, through her, had grown fond of Charlie too. The more he watched, the more Charlie charmed him. Charlie was truly adorable and wise beyond her years-just so lovable.

Evelyn had been thinking about Charlie too. Yesterday, she'd missed her medication, lost her grip on her emotions, and done something desperate. She couldn't leave this world without avenging Charlie. She gave a slight nod, "Okay."

Brooks had asked about Charlie's favorite things and picked up some gifts and her beloved sweets. When Charlie was sick, she'd had to avoid so many foods. After Charlie passed, Evelyn would often buy lots of things Charlie had loved, hoping somehow she could still enjoy them.

They arrived at the cemetery.

"Charlie, it's Uncle Brooks." Brooks laid out the desserts, flowers, fruit, and toys he'd brought with great care. He didn't mind getting a bit dirty as he sat right down on the ground, tidying up Charlie's gravestone while chatting to her. Their conversation was all about the little things he'd seen in the daycare video. He had memorized all the things Charlie liked.

Evelyn watched as Brooks spoke to Charlie's photo in that gentle tone, and her eyes welled up. When Charlie was alive, she'd longed for her dad to talk to her with such kindness. But Charles never did.

As twilight settled in, Evelyn brushed her fingers across Charlie's picture. "Baby, mommy's heading home now."

Brooks, equally gentle, touched the photo as well, "Charlie, Uncle Brooks really likes you. I hope you like me too. I'll come see you with your mom next time."

Together, they walked back downnoveldrama

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the path. Once outside the cemetery, Brooks opened the car door

Evelyn, helping her in. But for t

driving off, he turned to her

“Evelyn, that day, standing in the rain, you asked to borrow money to find that

man. Was it to learn who was behind Charlie's death?"

He recalled that night vividly—the man lying in the alley, blood pooling around him. Evelyn had rushed to

him, frantic, begging him to stay alive, to reveal who was responsible.

IMS

The person she was desperate to find must have been Charlie's killer.

"In the emergency room, when he called you in, did he tell you who it was? Is that why you left for Greenrose so abruptly?"

He had shown his support at the hospital, but after Evelyn woke up, she stayed silent on the matter. It was clear she still wanted to keep him at arm's length. However, after last night, Brooks was determined not to let her shut him out again.

Evelyn pressed her lips together. She didn't want Brooks tangled up in all of this.

"Brooks..."

She tried to change the subject, but Brooks interjected, "Is it Dahlia?"

He had property in Greenrose and knew Charles did too, where Dahlia lived.