Chapter 601
The moment Evelyn spoke, her eyes brimmed with tears.
She didn’t want to say goodbye.
But she knew, deep down, there was nowhere left for her and Brooks to go. Carrying Charles’s child had driven a wedge between her and Chloe that nothing could mend not this time.
And in the end, Brooks would have to choose: her or Chloe.
Brooks had always been good to her-too good. She already felt she owed him more than she could ever repay. She couldn’t bring herself to force his hand, to make him choose. So, Evelyn made the choice for both of them and ended it.
Brooks sat in his car, gripping his phone in silence.
He couldn’t find the words to ask her to stay. “Just give me a little more time❞— he’d wanted to say it, but it was just an excuse, a way to postpone letting go. But to say yes to breaking up? The word “okay” sat heavy on his tongue, refusing to come out.
He reached for the pack of cigarettes in the glove box and tapped one free. He wasn’t a smoker-not really. Only when he was at the edge, when his nerves were frayed raw, would he light one.
On the other end of the line, Evelyn heard the flick of his lighter. Even though they weren’t together, she could feel just how much it hurt him.
Neither hung up.
After what felt like forever, Brooks finally spoke, his voice rough and low. “Okay.”
The doctor’s warnings rang in his ears: one more shock and his mother could have a stroke-she might even lose the ability to care for herself. With her pride, that would be a fate worse than death. Even if it meant losing Evelyn, he couldn’t risk his mom’s health.
So, this was the end.
“Evelyn, no matter what happens, if you ever need me, I’ll always be here for you.”
That was his promise. Even if they couldn’t be together, he would never walk away. He’d be her safety net, quietly supporting her from the sidelines. Whenever she needed him, he’d show up.
…
The call ended.
Brooks was the one who hung up.
Evelyn sat in the garden, her eyes redder by the second.
Charles stood behind her, silent, watching the pain twist her face, feeling his own chest tighten.
Evelyn had truly loved Brooks. He wasn’t just a backup-she’d held him close, cherished him.
Watching her cry for another man, Charles felt the sting deep in his bones.
He walked over, his expression
tense, and wiped away her tears with his thumb. Fighting down the jealousy bubbling inside, he said softly Eve, don’t cry. You’re pregnant-it’s not good for you or the baby.”
“I never planned to keep this child. Does it really matter if I’m okay or not?”
She brushed his hand away, her tone icy.
She kept reminding herself, again and again, that she shouldn’t keep this baby-
afraid that if she didn’t, her heart would soften.
“Eve, don’t talk like that. Our daughter would be sad if she heard you.”
Charles crouched beside her, gaze lingering on her belly. He wanted to reach out, to comfort both her and the baby, but his hand froze midair. She didn’t want him touching her-in fact, she couldn’t stand it.
…
Dinner from Debbie’s Garden arrived quickly.
Evelyn, still sunk in her sadness, had no appetite. She didn’t want to eat.
But this time, Charles wouldn’t let her off the hook. He held her hand. “Eat before you go upstairs.”
“Eve, are you going to eat yourself, or do I need to feed you?”
With no other choice, Evelyn sat at the table and managed a few bites, barely tasting a thing. When she was done, she didn’t even look at
Charles-she just headed upsta locked her door, and went straight to the study.
Everything she’d need for work was set up there.
Evelyn tried to focus, picked up a pencil to sketch, but her thoughts were a mess. She grabbed a book, but couldn’t get through a single page before exhaustion swept over her.
She fell asleep at her desk.
Charles unlocked the door and came in. He carried her to bed, tucked her in, and sat beside her, surrounded by stacks of parenting books Aiden had brought over.
He’d missed out on so much already.
This time, Charles was determined to get it right. He was learning everything he could about taking care of her during pregnancy, and trying to figure out how to be the father he should have been from the start.