"Eve!"


    Charles couldn''t take his eyes off Evelyn and Brooks''s joined hands. The sight


    stung, sharp and raw. His voice came out low and tight.


    Evelyn met his angry gaze without flinching.


    Staying behind to care for Brooks had clearly hit a nerve. Charles''s


    possessiveness had always run deep-he couldn''t stand her fussing over Brooks, especially right under his nose.


    But so what?


    Why should she care about his feelings?


    The air between them sizzled, neither willing to give an inch.


    She was set on staying.


    He was determined to take her away.


    Evelyn braced herself for a fight, ready to snap back. She didn''t expect Charles to be the first to fold.


    He let out a breath and softened his tone. "This is Aaron''s ce. He can take care of Brooks."


    "I don''t trust anyone else," Evelyn shot back, shutting him down in just a few words.


    She didn''t bother hiding her concern for Brooks, not even in front of Charles. Every bit of tenderness she offered was like a stab to his chest.


    He saw how firm she was and finally relented, dialing Andrew toe check on Brooks.


    ...


    While they waited for Andrew, Charles lingered by the bed, watching Evelyn sit at Brooks''s side, her voice gentle as she soothed him.


    "Brooks, I''m not going anywhere. Let go, and I''ll help you drink some hangover soup. You''ll feel better, I promise."


    Brooks was burning up, drunk and barely coherent.


    Evelyn kept coaxing, soft and patient, until Brooks finally rxed his grip. She fed him the soup, one careful spoonful at a time.


    The whole scene twisted Charles up inside with jealousy and pain. He couldn''t just drag Evelyn away-if not for her pregnancy, he might have tried. But now, all he could do was stand by helplessly, watching the woman he loved take care of another man.


    Every gentle word from her was another cut.


    He hadn''t heard that kind of warmth from her in ages.


    Back when she loved him, she''d sit by his side after a night of drinking, coaxing


    him with that same gentle tone to drink her homemade remedy.


    Now, she was giving all of that to Brooks.


    а


    "Eve, let me do it," Charles finally blurted, unable to watch any longer. He stepped in, ignoring his own difort; feeding Brooks was distasteful, but it beat watching Evelyn do it.


    Evelyn didn''t even look at him. If he wouldn''t leave, she acted like he wasn''t even there.


    She finished feeding Brooks, then got up to wet a towel and carefully wiped his face and hands. His jacket was soaked in alcohol, so Evelyn started to take it off to make him


    morefortable.


    That was thest straw for Charles. He stepped in-careful not to be rough, not


    wanting to upset her. She was pregnant, after all, and he didn''t want to risk making her angry.


    This time, Evelyn let him help.


    Andrew walked in on the scene and


    was momentarily stunned, but he wisely kept his reaction to himself He checked Brooks over, found him in decent shape, and gave him some medicine. Before long, Brooks''s fever broke and he drifted off to sleep.


    "Mr. Brooks just needs a good night''s rest. He''ll be fine. No need to worry," Andrew assured Evelyn.


    It waste, and Evelyn was exhausted, holding it together for the sake of her


    baby. When she saw Brooks was out of danger, she didn''t linger.


    She said a quick goodbye to Aaron and left the club.


    Andrew drove off.


    Evelyn got into Charles''s car.


    She was just about to buckle her seatbelt when Charles leaned over, pinning her gently against the seat.


    "Eve, do you really love Brooks now?"


    All night, he''d watched her give Brooks every bit of the tenderness that used to be


    his. Once upon a time, Eve loved him with everything she had.


    Had she given all that love to Brooks now?


    "Yes."


    Evelyn looked right into his pained eyes and answered without hesitation.