He Remembered, But No One Else Did

Chapter 9 His Promise

Brenton noticed how rigid she had become and slowly released her. "Eveline, what's wrong?"

She managed a quick smile. "Nothing at all. I'm just really happy you're here."

She eased back a step without making it obvious. "What about you? Why the sudden change of heart? Weren't those loan sharks still after you? And leaving your mom home alone doesn't sound right."

In the role Brenton had built for himself, he was the responsible poor boy from a single-parent home who put his mother first. He had chosen long-distance so he could look after her while still being with Eveline. She had admired that sense of duty and always supported him.

Now she saw every shining quality she had fallen for was nothing more than another layer of his mask.

"My mom actually told me to come stay with you."

He stepped closer again, his gaze drifting around the elegant room.

"Eveline, what made you pick a fancy sea-view suite today? Were you hoping I'd show up?"

It was no surprise he sounded so sure of himself. Eveline had always lived frugally, counting every penny, but she had never hesitated to spoil him whenever he wanted something nice.

If he had been the one suggesting a night of luxury, she would have agreed in a heartbeat. On her own, though, she would have settled for a plain motel room and called it good enough.

The sight of that familiar smile turned her stomach so hard she had to look away and swallow a few times to keep from being sick.

Brenton pretended not to notice and reached out to rest his hand gently on her belly.

Her whole body tensed. She pushed him away harder than she meant to.

He stared at her, surprised.

Eveline closed her eyes for a second. "The trip today really tired me out. Let's just turn in early."

Brenton frowned. Right before she walked into the bedroom, he finally revealed why he had rushed here tonight. "Eveline, the OB-GYN department at Winsdale Hospital has a great reputation. How about we go in for a check-up tomorrow? My mom's been looking forward to having a grandchild for a while now."

Her fingers trembled inside the sleeve of her pajamas. She had to bite down hard on her teeth just to stop the cold laugh from spilling out.

All the years they had been together, Brenton had never once slipped up on protection. Even in the middle of passion, if they forgot, he would make sure she took the morning-after pill right away.

She had teased him about it once. "Do you really not want kids at all?"

He had looked at her with those soft eyes and answered, "Becoming a mother brings too many uncertainties. I want you to stay my happy little girl for a few more years."

Those words that used to melt her heart now rang in her ears like cruel mockery.

"Eveline, Brenton never said no to children. He just said no to having any with you. Oh, and let's be honest, he doesn't even want you."

*****

She shook her head to push the voices away and looked straight into his eyes. "Why is your mom suddenly in such a hurry?"

"She's getting older, you know how it is." His expression stayed perfectly smooth.

But Eveline knew he was hiding the real reason behind another smooth lie.

This time, she could not guess what he was really after.

The night grew late, yet sleep felt impossible.

Brenton lay on his side of the bed with one arm draped over her waist out of long habit.

Listening to his deep, even breathing, she carefully lifted that arm and moved it away.

She rolled onto her side, back turned to him, leaving a wide gap between them like two strangers sharing the mattress.

Their old rental apartment had been tiny, so she had bought the smallest bed possible to save space.

She had once mentioned getting a bigger one, but Brenton had smiled and said this size was just right.

"That way I always have an excuse to hold you close all night and never let go."

The memory sent a fresh chill through her.

She scooted all the way to the very edge of the mattress, eyes wide open in the dark, waiting for the first light of morning to arrive.