The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 525

Charles’s expression darkened noticeably the moment he stepped out of the car.

He was just about to retort when Josephine’s affectionate “Brooks” cut him off, the way she said it leaving no room for his words.

That same tone—he used to be the one she greeted like that when they were ten.

But now…

Thinking of how distant Josephine was with him these days, a bitter taste filled his chest.

He looked at her, face clouded with regret.

But Josephine acted as if she hadn’t even noticed the look he gave her.

Her gaze was fixed warmly on Brooks.

One text from Evelyn, and Brooks had rushed over without hesitation.

The way a man treated a woman’s friends and family showed just how much he valued her.

Her Eve had been deeply hurt before—she needed someone gentle like Brooks, someone patient enough to quietly break down the thick walls she had built around her heart.

Right in front of Charles, Josephine reached out and took Brooks’s hand.

“Brooks, now that I’m out of the hospital, why don’t you come over for dinner whenever you have time? I’ll make you something delicious. You’ve been so busy with work lately, you’ve lost so much weight.”

Evelyn: “…”

There’s a special kind of “skinny”—the kind only a caring older relative can see.

Brooks’s physique was perfect—clearly someone who worked out, slim in a suit but athletic underneath.

But instead of objecting to being called thin, Brooks just smiled, eyes gentle.

He didn’t agree right away—he turned to Evelyn, who had just stepped out of the car after him. “Evelyn, would that be alright?”

With Brooks’s words, Charles’s gaze followed to land on Evelyn as well.

“Evelyn, don’t keep him waiting!” Adam piped up, clearly enjoying the show.

He loved seeing Charles knocked down a peg.

It wasn’t necessary, perhaps, but remembering how Evelyn had once been neglected by Charles, Adam never missed a chance to make Charles uncomfortable.

It’s what he deserved.

“Sure,” Evelyn replied, not deliberately keeping her distance from Brooks.

She wanted to let things happen naturally.

That single word, “sure,” seemed to make the shadows in Charles’s eyes deepen.

His lips parted, as if to protest, but he realized he had no right to object.

“Ms. Josephine, the wind’s picking up down here. Let’s get you upstairs,” Charles said, forcing down the turmoil in his heart, still worried about Josephine’s health.

He hadn’t forgotten what Andrew said—Josephine shouldn’t catch a chill in her current condition.

“Brooks, let’s go upstairs,” Josephine replied, not even acknowledging Charles. She took Brooks by the arm, held Evelyn’s hand in her other, and led the way forward.

They looked for all the world like a happy family of three.

Charles’s bitterness only grew, his gaze following them, body tense.

Suddenly, Josephine stopped and turned.

Charles knew that after Josephine was discharged, Evelyn wouldn’t want to stay at Brooks’s place anymore—she’d come back to Maple Grove.

Maple Grove was an old complex.

The motion sensors and elevators were always breaking down.

It was one thing for the younger people to take the stairs, but Charles worried about Josephine’s health.

So he’d arranged for the best property management company to come in ahead of time—renovating the hallways, fixing the elevators, revamping the common areas—everything looked brand new.

He was doing everything he could to make sure Josephine was comfortable here.

But Evelyn didn’t say a word.

Just then, the elevator arrived and the doors opened.

Immediately, they saw piles of boxes stacked on either side of the door.

Aiden was waiting nearby. When he saw Evelyn and Josephine, he stepped forward respectfully. “Ms. Josephine, Ms. Evelyn, these are daily necessities Mr. Jenkins personally selected for you, Ms. Josephine.”

As he spoke, he handed over several sets of property deeds.

“These homes were specially chosen by Mr. Jenkins for you, Ms. Josephine. They’ve all been transferred to Ms. Evelyn’s name. If you or Ms. Evelyn ever want to move in, you can do so at any time.”

Charles had thought of everything.

The choice was in Josephine and Evelyn’s hands now.

Josephine looked at all of it, her heart unexpectedly moved.

All this time, Charles had been quietly keeping track of her illness, arranging the best nutritionists and physical therapists for her.