In a heated moment, Charles lost all sense of control, yanking Evelyn so hard that she spun and crashed right into his arms. Startled, the coffee cup she was clutching flew from her grasp.

Evelyn instinctively reached out, trying to grab it. But Charles misunderstood her movement, thinking she was trying to break free from his hold. As soon as she moved, he pulled her back into his embrace tighter. The coffee cup sailed past her, tumbling to the ground a few feet away. The flimsy packaging it was in did nothing to protect it. The sharp sound of shattering porcelain echoed in the air, catching everyone's attention.

Brooks saw the cup fall and instinctively tried to help Evelyn catch it. He knew how much she treasured anything her daughter made by hand and didn't want to see it break.

Yet, he couldn't catch it in time. Hurriedly, he stepped forward, crouching down to gather the shattered pieces of the mug.

Evelyn was seething with anger. Charles had her waist locked in his grip, pinning her close. In a flash of fury, she stomped hard on Charles' foot.

Charles winced from the pain but didn't release her. Not backing down, Evelyn grabbed her bag and swung it at Charles, shouting, "Let go!"

The bag smacked him square in the face, hitting him hard enough to catch him off guard and strike him in the eye. Charles gasped, his grip loosening just enough.

Seizing the moment, Evelyn slipped away from him, hurrying over to Brooks and reaching for the broken pieces of the mug.noveldrama

"Evelyn, don't worry, I can get someone to fix it," Brooks said, trying to comfort her. He could see that Evelyn was as fragile as the shattered mug at that moment.

Charles' eyes welled with tears from the pain. He frowned as he watched Evelyn standing a few steps away. His eyes fixated on the mug in her hands, particularly the heart shape facing him.

That heart symbolized promises-sharing a lifetime

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together. They'd only been together for a little over a month, yet they. were already making such commitments. Charles believed Evelyn only had a future with him.

Fueled by jealousy, Charles' anger flared hotter. He moved quickly, reaching out his hand. Brooks, anticipating Charles' move, thought he was after Evelyn again and acted to shield her.

But Charles wasn't going for Evelyn this time. He swiftly grabbed the mug from her hands. Without hesitation, he raised it high and smashed it with force.

"Mr. Jenkins..." Brooks called out, realizing what Charles intended. He tried to stop him, but Charles was too quick.

Before Brooks could finish his warning, Charles had already acted. The fragmented mug hit the ground, breaking into countless tiny pieces. It was beyond repair now.

Brooks looked at Evelyn. Her face was full of heartache, and he felt his heart ache for her, too.

"Oh my gosh! How did the mug break? Charlie worked for over two months to learn how to make it. She's going to be so upset," said the shop owner, who had rushed out upon hearing the noise.

She had spent countless hours guiding Charlie, teaching her how to craft the mug. She knew all too well the effort and love the little girl had poured into it.

Unaware of Charles' jealousy-driven

actions, the owner assumed it was just an accident. Turning to Evelyn she said sympathetically, “Ms.

Evelyn, when you go home, telle Charlie not to worry. I'll help her make a new coffee mug as a birthday gift for her dad.