The Day Our Promise Breaks

Josephine stormed towards them like a whirlwind. As she got closer, Evelyn's expression grew clearer in her eyes. Her daughter's face was etched with resistance, yet instead of pushing Charles away, Evelyn gripped her hands tightly, her nails digging into her palms, desperately trying to keep her emotions in check.

Anyone could see she was unwilling. How could she ever be willing? This man, who had a hand in Charlie's death and protected Dahlia, the murderer. To her, Charles was even more despicable than Dahlia. Sure, Dahlia was malicious and unforgivable, but Charles? He was the father of her child, Charlie!

If Josephine hated him this much, she couldn't imagine the depth of Evelyn's hatred, being Charlie's mother. Yet, despite all this, Evelyn didn't shove him away. But why? What could possibly be holding her back? The only thing Charles had over Evelyn now was her vulnerability. Her poor Evelyn!

Josephine's heart ached, tears blurring her vision. The more she hurt for her daughter, the more her loathing for Charles deepened. How could he possibly do this?

With eyes blazing red, Josephine reached them, grabbing the arm Charles had on Evelyn's chin, yanking and hurling insults, "You monster, let go of Eve!" Her body was frail, her pull weak, not enough to break Charles' grip. Yet, at Josephine's voice, Charles hesitated. It was eerily familiar, echoing from deep within his memories, a voice he hadn't heard in twenty years, slightly blurred, almost unreal.

His grip on Evelyn's chin loosened, and he instinctively turned, meeting Josephine's fiery gaze. Seeing her, a wave of disappointment washed over him. What was he thinking? His Ms. Josephine had long passed. He had wanted to show his gratitude to Ms. Josephine, but that chance had slipped away. The sadness in his eyes deepened at this thought.

Of the three most important people in his life, Ms. Josephine and his grandmother were gone, leaving only Debbie. After learning of Ms. Josephine's death, he channeled his affection for her onto Debbie. Lost in these memories, Josephine managed to pull him away effortlessly. She stepped forward, shielding Evelyn, and without hesitation, slapped him across the face, shouting, "Charles, you beast!"

"Where's your conscience, Charles? What has my Eve ever done to you to deserve this? Why do you treat her so cruelly?" she demanded. "At nineteen, you took advantage of her, she bore Charlie, and stayed with you for five years without acknowledgment or status!"

"How did you treat my Eve and Charlie during those years? And how did they treat you?" she continued

her voice shaking with

"Charles, from the beginning, it was you who wronged Eve and Charlie. You owe them, not the other way around!"

"What gives you the right to torment my Eve? What gives you the right?" Josephine's frail body didn't pack much force, so her slaps were gentle But every word was like a dagger to his heart. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to relent. He could only press his lips tight, staying silent, allowing Josephine to vent her anger.

Josephine, exhausted from venting, grew paler, her body swaying. Facing her, Charles instinctively reached out to support her, but Evelyn, eyes red with

emotion, pushed him away before he could touch her mother.

She stood protectively in front of Josephine, her eyes fierce as she said, "Charles, what are you trying to do?"

"I just wanted to help your mother," Charles explained quietly.

"We don't need your fake kindness," Evelyn retorted coldly, casting a witheringnoveldrama

look at him.