The Day Our Promise Breaks
Chapter 20

Adam saw it, too. The rage sparked instantly.

"That bastard! How dare he cozy up with Dahlia, when it's barely been a week since Charlie's funeral. I'm going to smash his face right now."

"Adam, I've already broken up with him." Evelyn caught hold of Adam, preventing him from going over. Adam wouldn't win in a confrontation with Charles.

"Weren't you supposed to take me for a drive? Let's just go!"

With Evelyn holding him back, Adam had no choice but to calm down. He knew all too well how much she loved Charles through her humility and her compromises over the past five years. He had seen it all.

"You..." Adam wanted to scold Evelyn for her lack of dignity.

As Charles straightened up and looked their way, Adam pushed the visor up with a snap of his wrist. He glared fiercely at Charles.

After Evelyn put on her helmet, Adam deliberately pulled her hand around his waist and said, "Hold on tight."

Evelyn didn't refuse. She hugged Adam's waist tighter, understanding his gesture to help her regain some dignity in front of Charles.

But what Adam didn't know was that Charles' indifference towards her made their actions meaningless to him.

Adam was satisfied. Evelyn used to maintain an excessive level of propriety for Charles' sake.

Adam revved the engine, deliberately brushed past Charles' car and even spat disdainfully at the couple inside. Then, he accelerated away, leaving a trail of exhaust behind.

When they left, Evelyn didn't notice Charles' intense gaze in the car. His cold eyes harbored a strong possessiveness towards her.

Dahlia saw it and couldn't help clenching her fists. The pain brought her back to reality, preventing her from making a scene.

She suddenly winced. "Ouch!"

She saw Evelyn and pretended to forget about her injured hand while trying to buckle her seatbelt.

Charles immediately leaned over to help her. "Are you trying to get rid of your hand?" Charles shifted his gaze back to Dahlia.

"I saw Sandy kicking off her blankets and didn't want her to catch a cold. I just forgot for a moment."

Mentioning Sandy softened Charles' expression. He tucked Sandy in properly before starting the car.

...

It's winter, so Adam wouldn't really take Evelyn for a drive.

He took her to the supermarket instead and selected many of Charlie's favorite ingredients. They planned to celebrate with a seafood boil at Evelyn's place that evening.

Back at Maple Garden, Adam carried the groceries into the kitchen and told Evelyn, who followed him in, "I'll go chat with Charlie first. Leave the shrimp and crab for me to handle." "Okay." Evelyn nodded.

Not long after Adam went into the spare room, the doorbell rang. Evelyn, wearing an apron, went to open the door.

When she saw Charles, Evelyn's smile immediately faded, and she quickly tried to shut the door.

Charles stopped the door with his hand.

"Charles, you're not welcome here, leave." Evelyn was firm, her voice cold as she issued her order to leave.

"Not welcome? Then who is welcome?"

Charles' gaze turned colder as he stared at her. Suddenly, he pushed harder, forcing his way in.

Evelyn was pushed back by his force and stumbled.

Before she could fall, Charles caught her waist.

"Let go!"

After stabilizing herself, Evelyn immediately struggled to free herself. Charles didn't let go. Instead, he kicked the door closed, turned, and pinned Evelyn against it, seizing her chin and forcing a kiss upon her without a chance for refusal. His lips pressed forcefully against hers.

"Mmm..." Evelyn's muffled attempts to resist were in vain. The more she struggled, the more forceful Charles' kiss became.

As the kiss deepened, Evelyn's breath was taken away, and her legs weakened, leaving her unable to resist.

The noise outside caught Adam's attention from the side room. He came out and saw Charles on top of Evelyn.

Adam had been displeased with Charles for a long time, and he had wanted to confront him more than once over the past five years.

However, since Evelyn loved him so much, Adam didn't want to put her in a difficult position and had always held back.

Now, he could bear it no longer.

He thought of the hurt that Charlie and Evelyn had endured because of him over the years.

He remembered Charlie's call from a few days ago. She excitedly told him, "Adam, I'm so happy. Daddy said he'd take me to the amusement park. It'll be just me and him."

Charlie was so happy and so full of anticipation, but what had Charles done?

Adam's eyes reddened with anger. He stormed over, grabbed Charles by the collar, and pulled him back. Then, with a backhanded punch, he hit Charles squarely in the face. Unprepared, Charles took the hit straight on. He wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes flashing with fury.

As Adam's second punch came flying, Charles caught it and retaliated with a punch of his own.

Adam staggered back, and before he could regain his balance, Charles kicked him squarely in the chest.

Adam was sent crashing into the door of the spare room.

The door, not properly shut, swung open, revealing Charlie's memorial photo and urn.

"Charles, stop it!"