The Day Our Promise Breaks

Josephine couldn't take her eyes off Charles. The moment she spotted a locket hanging from his waist, her heart skipped a beat. It looked just like Eve's locket.

Having just woken up, Josephine's vision was still a bit fuzzy. Worried she might be mistaken, she suddenly called out to Charles, "Come here." Her voice had lost the earlier excitement.

Andrew let out a sigh of relief. He thought his previous words in defense of Charles might have done the trick. He could clearly see that Charles was genuinely concerned about Ms. Josephine's health. If it weren't for his care for Evelyn, why else would Charles be so attentive?

Seeing an opportunity to shift the mood, Andrew quickly stepped aside, making space for Charles. Charles, with his deep, thoughtful eyes, was unsure of Josephine's intentions but still moved closer to her.

As the gap closed, Josephine saw the locket clearly-it was indeed the one Eve had worn since she was a child. Years ago, when Eve and her "Iceman" parted, they had exchanged keepsakes. Iceman gave her his locket, and she gave hers to him. But why was this locket now with Charles?

The truth was dawning on her. Charles was the little boy she had once saved- Eve's Iceman. A year ago, when she first searched for Charles online, she stumbled upon a picture of him kissing Dahlia on the cheek beneath a canopy of fireworks.

Seeing Charles's profile, Josephine felt a twinge of familiarity. They had spent half a year together back then, but nearly two decades had passed, and memories were blurry. At first glance, he seemed familiar, but she quickly dismissed the thought. The car that came to pick Charles up back then was ordinary, and so was the person who came.noveldrama

Josephine's emotions were all over the place, and her gaze at Charles was layered with complexity-so much was packed into that look. Charles was indeed the same little boy. The one who, at first, pushed everyone away, but eventually learned to navigate his blindness to stay close to Eve.

Eve was a wild spirit, always running through the fields. But for Iceman, she'd turn down friends' invitations to go fishing in the creek. She'd sit at the doorstep with apple cheeks, watching her friends play by the creek.

Charles couldn't see, but he was perceptive. Realizing her desire, he'd say, "I want to go out." Eve's eyes would light up, and she'd leap from her little stool, rushing to him, "Iceman, where do you want to go?" Charles would point, knowing where she wanted to be, hearing the world around him.

That day, Eve played until she was covered in mud. With her little bucket, she'd run to Charles, excitedly sharing her adventures. Too tired to walk, Charles would squat, "Hop on." Eve, mindful of his cleanliness, hesitated, "Iceman, it's okay."

"Hop on," he repeated, his voice as cold as ever. A tone that might scare others never fazed Eve. She'd throw a big smile and jump onto his back, "Iceman, from now on, I'll be your eyes."

After that, Eve often took Charles out. They'd roam the fields wildly, and when she was too tired, she'd tug his sleeve, pouting, "Iceman, carry me." "Iceman, piggyback." "Iceman, Debbie likes you best."

In their role-playing games, Charles was the handsome hero every village girl wanted to marry. Debbie would declare, "Iceman is Debbie's. If others challenged her, she'd fook at Charles with pleading eyes "Iceman." Charles, though blind, would find Eve's gaze, warmth in his eyes as he patted her head, "Yes, I'm yours."

Eve would proudly lift her chin, grinning from ear to ear. Half a year was brief yet significant. Iceman was an important part of Eve's world After they parted, Eve wasn't as keen on playing with others. After meals, she'd run to the village entrance, sit on a big stone, apple-cheeked, craning her neck, waiting for her Iceman.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Evelyn asked, noticing Josephine lost in thought, staring at

the locket on Charles's waist with a complicated expression.

"Nothing," Josephine replied, shifting her gaze. In that moment, she was grateful Eve didn't remember. It was better that way. Childhood promises are often just playful words. Before leaving, Charles had earnestly told her, "Ms. Josephine, I'll wait for Debbie to grow up. If she wants, I'll marry her. I'll cherish, pamper, and care for her."

She didn't blame him for breaking that promise, falling for Dahlia, a woman with a venomous heart, letting Eve down. After all, he was only ten then. How could those words be taken seriously?

What she couldn't forgive was his actions that, for Dahlia, indirectly led to Charlie's death, causing Eve irreparable pain. His actions were unforgivable. Those childhood memories were best left sealed. Unveiling them wouldn't change anything. Eve wouldn't forgive Charles, only bring more trouble.