The Day Our Promise Breaks

Pregnant?

Brooks' mind went completely blank for a second.

But he quickly pulled himself together and apologized, his voice sincere. "I'm sorry, that was careless of me. Is my girlfriend—and the baby—are they both okay?"

The doctor, seeing how stunned Brooks looked, softened his tone. "They're fine."

"There's no need to stress too much. Her condition has stabilized. I get it-you're both young and want to focus on your careers, but now that she's pregnant, you have to take her health seriously. The first three months are especially important. Don't let her overdo it."

"I understand, doctor. Thank you," Brooks said, grateful.

After the doctor left, Brooks pushed open the door to the little house and stepped inside.

Evelyn was already awake.

She'd heard everything the doctor had said to Brooks outside.

She was pregnant.

It all started over a month ago, that unexpected night with Charles.

To be safe, she'd taken two emergency contraceptives.

But then, while heading upstairs for a shower, she'd thrown up in the bathroom.

After that, she'd taken another pill, just in case.

Later, while out to eat with Brooks, she was sick again in the restaurant bathroom.

When she came out, Brooks was waiting, worry written all over his face.

He asked her what was wrong. She didn't hide it from him.

She pulled out the pills from her bag, ready to take yet another.

Brooks stopped her.

He called a family doctor.

The doctor told her she was allergic to emergency contraceptives.

Her health had always been fragile, made worse by years spent soaking in cold water.

Brooks had arranged for a specialist to help her recover. Only recently had she started to get a little stronger.

But now, she'd already taken three pills. Taking more would only hurt her body.

If she really damaged herself, she might never be able to get pregnant again.

Besides, last time she'd taken the medicine, even though she threw up, enough time had passed for it to work.

There was no need to keep taking it.

Evelyn listened.

She didn't want to be tied to Charles over an accident she never asked for, but ruining her health would destroy her future with Brooks, too.

She never expected she'd end up pregnant anyway.

Evelyn placed her hand gently on her stomach, her feelings a swirling mess.

She grew up in an orphanage, always craving a family, always loving children.

Losing Charlie had left a hole she'd never been able to fill.

And now, pregnant again.

Her hand tightened a little on her stomach.

Brooks sat down beside her on the bed.

He could see the conflict in her eyes. He reached out and wrapped her cold fingers in his warm hand.noveldrama

Evelyn looked up at him.

Brooks gently smoothed the worry from

Ever brow, his voice soft.

vel

, whatever you do? urry

here for you."

"If you want to keep the baby—”

be

"Brooks, help me schedule the procedure. I want to end this pregnancy."

She cut him off, pulling her hand away from her belly.

She'd already made up her mind.

She wanted it over quickly. The longer she waited, the harder it would be to let go.

"Evelyn..."

Brooks wanted to ask her to slow

down,

still

think it over. If Charlie were

Bere, he would have loved this

child as his own.

Brooks could, too.

He didn't want Evelyn to rush into something she'd regret.

"Brooks, I've made up my mind," Evelyn said, her voice steady.

All Brooks could do was go find the doctor to set up the procedure.

The door closed behind him.

Evelyn pressed her hands to her belly, trying to hold back her tears, but her eyes burned anyway.

Just then, the door swung open again.

Charles rushed in, having heard the

the

news. He hadn't shown up in front of Evelyn for a while, but he'd neve

stopped keeping tabs on eve

When he heard she'd passed out and was in the hospital, he came straight away.

"Eve."

Charles stepped inside.

He saw Evelyn's hand resting on her stomach, and his eyes filled with tears.

The doctor's words echoed in his mind-Eve was pregnant.

She was carrying his child.