The Day Our Promise Breaks
Chapter 34

At a restaurant, Brooks, ever the gentleman, gracefully pulled out a chair for Evelyn.

"Thank you." Evelyn expressed her gratitude as she took a seat.

Brooks was said to be the epitome of cultivation and chivalry, and indeed, his reputation was well-earned.

Brooks sat down.

After ordering their meals, neither of them spoke. Evelyn waited for Brooks to start a conversation about her work, but Brooks just kept gazing at her.

His gaze was gentle, not at all off-putting. Yet being stared at like this made Evelyn somewhat uncomfortable. She furrowed her brows slightly and met his gaze.

Her expression turned a bit cold. She wondered if he was playing with her. Could it be that his good reputation was undeserved, and he was actually a playboy? "Do you really not remember me?"

Just as Evelyn was secretly harboring doubts, Brooks spoke in a deep, unhurried, magnetic voice.

"Sorry?" Evelyn was puzzled and stared at Brooks.

What did he mean? Did they know each other?

"When do you plan to return my pen?" he asked again.

"What?" Evelyn was bewildered and completely at a loss.

Brooks' eyes dimmed slightly at her genuinely confused expression. Back then, Evelyn had eyes only for Charles.

"Never mind, I must have mistaken you for someone else." Brooks tactfully changed the subject.

Evelyn sat up straight, feeling a bit awkward.

Thankfully, Brooks quickly got to the point. "Ms. Evelyn, I would like to purchase your latest design for one million dollars. Would that be acceptable?" "One million?" Evelyn's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"Do you think the price is too low? No worries, we can negotiate further-"

"No, no, no!" Evelyn hastily interrupted him. "It's more than enough, Mr. Brooks. What I mean is... it's too generous."

"The winner's work this time is worth it. Why wouldn't it be?"

Brooks spoke calmly, but it was clear he looked down upon Dahlia's work. He was belittling Dahlia, feeling indignant on Evelyn's behalf. Evelyn picked up on it. Brooks slid a check across the table to her.

Evelyn hesitated for a second before picking up the check, offering Brooks a genuinely grateful smile. "Mr. Brooks, thank you for your appreciation."

She carefully placed the check in her bag, zipping it up before taking one more glance at the million-dollar figure written on it.

Her eyes welled up with tears. Charlie could finally rest in peace.

Fearing her emotions would get the better of her, Evelyn stood up, bid Brooks farewell, and headed to the restroom to compose herself.

...

After regaining her composure, Evelyn exited the restroom.

As she was washing her hands at the communal sink, a strong hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her into the adjacent men's restroom. "Charles, have you lost your mind? Let go of me!"

Evelyn's expression changed instantly. She was both embarrassed and annoyed!

The moment she was dragged in, she closed her eyes. She didn't see the yellow sign at the door.

"Click-"

The stall door locked, and Charles forcefully pressed Evelyn against the door. "Who allowed you to have dinner with Brooks?!"

His breath was hot, and his deep, magnetic voice carried a chilling coldness. His actions were domineering, barely concealing his possessiveness over Evelyn.

"Charles, let's get this straight. We're over! I have no ties with you now. What right do you have to care who I dine with?"

Evelyn was very nervous. She lowered her voice, staring at Charles with cold sarcasm.

"Over? Did I agree to that? I haven't said yes, and you are finding someone else. Evelyn, do you think I'm dead?"

Charles' gaze was icy. He looked like he could devour her.

Evelyn met Charles' eyes. She knew very well that his refusal to accept their breakup wasn't out of love. To him, she was only an object of desire, not love.

His refusal was simply because he felt he should be the one to make decisions. He could leave her, but not the other way around.

'Ha,' she scoffed in her heart and mercilessly replied, "Yes. I truly believe you're already dead..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Charles seized her jaw and kissed her.

Evelyn glared fiercely at Charles, and clenched her teeth tightly.

Dissatisfied, Charles bit down hard on Evelyn's lower lip.

She winced in pain. With a hiss, she inhaled sharply, giving Charles the opportunity he needed. He seized her breathlessly.

As Evelyn's eyes reddened, she took advantage of Charles' brief pause for breath to bite down hard on his lip. The taste of blood immediately filled the space between their lips and teeth. en FindNovel

The pain didn't make Charles release her; instead, it seemed to provoke him further, his eyes turning bloodshot as he kissed her even deeper.

The kiss nearly suffocated Evelyn. It was only after what seemed like an eternity that Charles finally released her lips.

He kissed Evelyn until she was

almost out of breath, and her strength was drained. As he let go her legs weakened, nearly causing her to collapse. But he caught Ker with one arm, pulling her back into his embrace.

Charles looked down at the petite girl in his arms. He had kissed her too harshly. Her eyes were red-rimmed and moist, looking so pitiful.

He didn't realize that when she looked at him like this, it only made him want to bully her more.

Charles leaned down to kiss her eyelids, his fingertips tracing her sweat-dampened skin at her waist. His lips barely touched her ear as he huskily said, "Be good."

Evelyn lowered her eyelids. Her eyes were void of emotion.

She leaned against the door and caught her breath.

As she regained her strength, suddenly....