The Day Our Promise Breaks

Evelyn pulled herself together in no time.

Don't get lost in old memories, she reminded herself.

After washing her hands, she headed back to the dining room.

Adam and Josephine were already seated, waiting for her.

Evelyn slid into her chair without hesitation.

Tonight's dinner was a real spread, full of dishes she and Adam both loved.

Josephine served them, making sure their plates were full.

Adam had gotten back into training, trying to get back into shape, and it showed- he'd lost a lot of weight.

Evelyn, after recovering from her miscarriage, had thrown herself into work. No one knew exactly what she'd been busy with these past two weeks, but she'd gotten noticeably thinner too.

Josephine couldn't help with much, but she made it her mission to cook hearty, nutritious meals for them, hoping to help them regain their strength.

After dinner, Evelyn and Adam tackled the cleanup together.noveldrama

"I'll handle the dishes," Adam said, taking the sponge from her. "You cut up some fruit."

Evelyn didn't argue this was just how things were between them.

They weren't family by blood, but their bond ran even deeper.

Ten minutes later, they left the kitchen, side by side.

Josephine was in the living room watching TV.

Adam and Evelyn flanked her on the couch, one on each side.

For half an hour, the three of them watched TV together.

It wasn't until then that Evelyn noticed the silent buzz of her phone-missed calls, unread messages lighting up the screen.

She picked up her phone and stepped out onto the balcony, just as a call from Charles came in.

Evelyn's brow furrowed.

Charles hadn't been around lately.

They'd bumped into each other a few times at different events, but he'd kept his distance.

This was the first time he'd called her in weeks.

Before she could decide whether to answer, her phone lit up again-Brooks was calling.

Evelyn declined Charles and picked up Brooks.

"Brooks?"

"Evelyn, congratulations! You made it to the semifinals."

Brooks's voice was warm, gentle.

He'd seen the official announcement for the Venus Golden Ratio International Jewelry Competition, and her name on the list made him genuinely happy for her.

Still, he felt a mix of emotions-making it to the next round meant Evelyn would be heading to Country Y.

Evelyn's voice went up a notch with excitement. "I really made it?"

"Yeah, it's official. They posted the list."

"I need to see for myself!"

Evelyn immediately opened her

social media app, found the official page, and there it was-her name, right at the top with twenty-five other standout designers.

She stared at the post, her eyes filling with tears.

Ever since she'd gotten justice for Charlie, all she'd wanted was to become the

kind of designer Charlie could be proud of.

She'd made a promise to Charlie.

Even though Charlie was gone, she was determined to keep that promise.

From the day she started her own studio, everything she'd done was for this moment.

She'd caught the attention of her mentor, Christy, who introduced her to Master Taylor.

It was Taylor who recommended her for the Venus Golden Ratio International Jewelry Competition-a contest known as the "Nobel Prize" of the design world, the highest honor a jewelry designer could hope for. sŵnovel

Winning the Golden Ratio Award was a dream for everyone in her field.

Many past winners had become legends, including Taylor himself.

Thinking of Taylor, Evelyn quickly ended her call with Brooks. "Brooks, I have to make another important call-let's talk later."

As soon as she hung up, a message from Charles popped up: [Eve, congrats!]

She glanced at it but didn't reply.

Instead, she found Taylor's number and called.

They chatted for a bit, and Taylor encouraged her to keep pushing forward.

After that, Evelyn spent almost half an hour returning calls and messages,

thanking everyone who'd reached out-everyone except Charles.

When she finally finished, she turned around and found Adam and Josephine both watching her from the living room.

Evelyn was practically glowing with happiness.

She hurried over to the couch, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice. "Mom, Adam-Taylor

recommended me for the Venusnet

Golden Ratio International Jewelry Competition, and I made it to the semifinals!"

Josephine didn't know much about the competition, but she knew it was her daughter's dream, and Charlie's too.

Seeing Evelyn so happy, Josephine felt her own heart swell with pride. "That's wonderful. Charlie would be so happy for you."

Evelyn nodded, her eyes shining. "Yeah."

"Mom, the semifinals aren't here. I'll have to go abroad next week, probably for

about two weeks."

Once the initial excitement faded, Evelyn filled them in on her plans.

"Abroad? Where to?" Josephine asked.

"Country Y," Evelyn replied.

At the mention of Country Y, Josephine's face went pale. Her voice turned sharp

and desperate: "No! You can't go!"