The Day Our Promise Breaks

against Evelyn despite her being Charles' partner and the mother of his daughter. None of them even bothered to visit her.

Dahlia left the country with a heavy heart, and during that time, Charles' deep sadness was as clear as day to everyone around him. Consequently, not only did Charles strongly hate Evelyn, but their group of friends also shared the sentiment. They held a strong grudge Brody was speaking up for Charles because he felt it was unfair. However, the more he talked, the more he noticed that Charles' expression didn't lighten up; instead, it seemed to darken with storm clouds. Charles' look was all too telling.

"You haven't fallen for Evelyn, have you?" Brody asked, staring at Charles as if he'd seen a ghost. Even he couldn't believe he was asking such a thing. Charles had spent all those years searching for Dahlia, finally finding her and treating her like the apple of his eye, showering her with love and affection like a treasured gem. Dahlia was the only one Charles had eyes for. How on earth could he fall for Evelyn, someone with such a scheming nature?

Charles shot Brody a look that said, "Are you kidding me?" How could he possibly have fallen for Evelyn?

"Exactly, there's just no way you'd fall for Evelyn!" Brody must have lost his mind to even bring it up. Charles didn't say anything more, which Brody took as an unspoken agreement.

"Honey, come keep me company." A sweet voice chimed in, and a pair of soft arms wrapped around Brody's arm. It was the girl he brought along for the night. Charles wasn't in the mood anymore, so Brody decided not to bother him further. He followed the woman to another part of the room, joining in on the games they were playing.

The girl beside him leaned into him, her eyes smoldering as she looked at him with a napkin playfully held between her lips. As she moved

closer to Brody, she seductively net

consumed the napkin bit by bit until only a small piece was left, all under the watchful eyes of the others. This little act stirred up cheers from the crowd.

"Brody, you lucky devil!" Brody looked at the beauty in front of him, eyes filled with mischief as she pulled him in. He knew this game all too well. A roguish smile crept onto his face as he leaned in. The crowd egged him on, and the girl looked expectant. "Brody, Allison's here." Allison was Brody's girlfriend. As soon as Brody's friend came in from outside and saw Allison approaching, he quickly warned Brody to watch himself. "Oh, she's here? Do I need to roll out the red carpet? Come on, let's keep playing!"

Brody casually wrapped his arm

around his new fling's waist,

showing no care in the world. Allison had just reached the doorway when she heard this. She stood there and thought she had built up an

LOVE

immunity to hurt, but seeing the seene inside made her grip the door handle tightly.

She watched Brody not even pause because of her arrival. Instead, he pulled the woman closer, right there in front of Allison, and bit the piece of napkin with those lips that had kissed Allison countless times

before, nearly touching the woman's lips. This sight pierced Allison's heart. She fought to keep her

emotions in check but couldn't stop

her eyes from welling up.

This was the man she had loved for eight long years. Everyone around her knew her love for Brody. She loved him so deeply that she lost herself. All she knew and loved was Brody. She wished she could always be by his side, like a part of him.