The Day Our Promise Breaks
Chapter 9

The air began to grow hot and arid. A wave of heat pooled in his lower abdomen. Charles flipped over, pinning Evelyn beneath him.

Evelyn gasped for air as she awoke from her nightmare. She slowly opened her eyes to the bedroom ceiling, feeling momentarily disoriented.

The dream had been so sorrowful that it was hard to distinguish from reality. That is until she felt a chill against her chest, bringing her fully to consciousness. Only then did she realize her clothes were disheveled, and Charles was undressing her.

Evelyn's expression turned icy, and her blood ran cold. Without a second thought, she pushed against him. "Charles, let me go."

But Charles was caught up in the moment. He not only didn't stop but became even more aggressive.

Even if Charles didn't love Evelyn, he couldn't deny his attraction to her body. He couldn't resist her touch.

Evelyn's expression grew increasingly grim.

For the past five years, whenever Charles wanted to, he would pin her down and have his way with her. He never once considered her feelings.

Previously, she endured it all for the sake of her love for him and to provide Charlie with a stable family.

But now, Charlie was gone and she had broken up with him. What right did Charles have to touch her against her will?

"Charles, I told you to let go of me. Do you hear me?"

Evelyn's struggle intensified. As Charles moved to kiss her again, she bit down hard on his lip.

The force she used drew blood from his lip. The metallic taste momentarily stunned Charles, allowing Evelyn to push him away with all her might. She managed to escape his grasp after a struggle.

Weak from not eating and the exertion, she gasped for breath, and her vision was darkening. But she remained vigilant, wrapping herself in a thin blanket. Her gaze was wary of Charles. It was as if she was ready to fight him off if he dared to touch her again. This show of defiance killed Charles' interest. He preferred her eager and pleasing in bed.

Charles got out of bed and dressed. As he did so, his phone slipped from his pocket onto the bed. The screen lit up with several missed calls, all from Sandy.

Only then did Charles remember he had promised to spend the morning with Sandy. He quickly dressed in a suit, looking every bit the distinguished gentleman. Without another glance at Evelyn, he left.

Only when the door shut did Evelyn's body slump, falling onto the bed. She straightened her clothes and staggered to her feet, pushing open the bedroom door. She held her daughter's urn close, and tears welled in her eyes.

...

Charles drove to the Greenrose residence where Dahlia and Sandy lived.

When Sandy heard the engine, she immediately ran out to greet him. However, she turned her head away and huffed through her nose upon seeing Charles. "Is my little princess angry?" Charles approached and lifted her into his arms.

Sandy wrapped her arms around Charles' neck, tilting her chin up proudly. "Daddy, if you give me a kiss, I'll forgive you."

The chill around Charles dissipated, his lips curving into a smile as he complied with a peck on Sandy's face.

Sandy immediately beamed, nuzzling into Charles' neck with affection.

Charles looked down at Sandy in his arms, his eyes filled with adoration. This was how he pictured his daughter should be, genuine and adorable. Sandy's little temperamental but easy to appease. Dahlia had raised her well. She's not like Charlie, who Evelyn had spoiled from a young age.

He missed one appointment, and Charlie had thrown a tantrum and hid away, just as her mother had taught her to do.

"Dinner's ready, come on in."

Dahlia, removing her apron, walked to the doorway with a gentle voice. She saw Charles approach and laughed lightly. "She heard me calling you this morning and has been waiting ever since. When you didn't show, she wouldn't stop calling you. I couldn't even stop her. Charles, I hope we didn't disturb you?"