The Day Our Promise Breaks

Evelyn refused to let herself linger in old memories or long for one last moment of closeness.

As soon as Charles stepped off the last stair, she made her move.

Without a second's hesitation, she slid down from his back.

Her feet touched the ground. She spoke, her voice cool and detached, "Thanks."

Then she turned and walked toward her car.

Charles was still tangled in memories, reluctant to let go. Without thinking, he reached out and caught her wrist, making one final, desperate attempt.

"Eve, can't you give me one more chance?"

His voice was soft, almost pleading, so humble it was almost painful.

He knew what her answer would be, but still, he had to ask.

Evelyn didn't pull away or struggle. She just turned her head to look at him, her eyes icy and unreadable.

She didn't have to say a word—her expression said it all.

They stared at each other for a long moment.

Finally, Charles's grip loosened.

The moment his hold faded, Evelyn pulled her hand back, no hesitation at all.

"Eve..."

He wanted to drive her home.

But Evelyn simply opened her car door, got in, and didn't look back. She pulled away without another glance.

Charles couldn't help himself.

He got into his own car and followed her.

It was late, the streets nearly empty.

Charles kept his distance, his headlights trailing behind hers, never getting too close.

He only left once she'd driven safely into her apartment complex.

Leaning against the hood of his car, he watched her walk upstairs and disappear.

A cool night breeze swept over his face, making everything feel even colder.

He knew, deep down, it was time to let her go.

...

A month later-Friday night.

Evelyn came home, and Adam opened the door for her.

These days, he showed up every Friday for dinner.

As soon as she stepped inside, the delicious aroma of home-cooked food hit her.

"Wow, that smells amazing. I'm starving," she said.

The scent made her stomach grumble.

She went straight to the dining table and reached for a rib.

"Godmother, Evelyn's stealing food!" Adam tattled instantly, ready to sell her out.

Moving fast, Evelyn shoved the rib into Adam's mouth to keep him quiet.

She grabbed another one for herself, grinning as she popped it in her mouth.

In the kitchen, Josephine finishednoveldrama

the last dish and switched off the

She watched the two of them

with a smile, the playful chaos filling the house.

Seeing Evelyn like this, Josephine was reminded of when she was little.

It hit her all at once-her daughter had grown up in the blink of an eye.

Feeling a bit sentimental, Josephine said without thinking, "Honestly, you're a grown woman now. Stiff acting like a kid. Those are all the bad habits your Iceman spoiled you with."

The words slipped out before she realized what she'd said.

Why did she have to bring up Charles?

Evelyn's face changed just a little, barely noticeable.

Josephine's words had triggered a memory-two kids, herself and Charles, back

when life was simple.

"What are you doing standing

around? Didn't you say you were t

hungry? Go wash your hands and eat!"Qosephine's voice snapped Evelyn out of her thoughts

Adam draped an arm over Evelyn's shoulders and nudged her toward the sink.

"Go scoop the rice," Evelyn told Adam, her voice even as always.

She headed to the sink to wash up.

The sound of running water filled the kitchen, and her mind drifted back-every

little moment from her childhood with Charles coming into focus.

Those were her most precious memories.

And yet, somehow, she'd forgotten them.

When they came flooding back, she wondered, just for a second-

If she hadn't forgotten.

If, the moment she saw Charles again, she'd recognized him as her Iceman.

Even without the jade pendant to prove who she was, she had so many other ways to show him.

Would their story have turned out differently?

But the thought passed as quickly as it came, and she pushed it away.

She never told anyone she remembered.

It didn't matter anymore.

There are no what-ifs in real life.

Some things just can't be undone.

In the end, she lost Charlie.

Because of Charles.