The Day Our Promise Breaks
Chapter 83

Once Evelyn finally gave in, Charles' face softened. "Alright." He jumped up, pulling Evelyn to her feet, eager to head out. They made their way to the garage and climbed into the car. "Where to?" Charles asked as he helped Evelyn with her seatbelt.

"I'll guide you," she replied, hesitant to mention the cemetery, fearing he'd call her crazy like before.

"Okay," he said, lost in the thought of seeing Charlie soon and not sweating the small stuff.

As the car rolled out of the garage, silence filled the space between them. They were each lost in their own thoughts. Evelyn focused on the road, pointing out directions. Halfway through, Charles' phone rang. It was Dahlia.

Evelyn stiffened at the familiar ringtone, her eyes snapping to Charles. He met her icy gaze and knew she didn't want him to answer. He compromised and silenced the call, but it rang again instantly.

As Charles moved to answer, Evelyn's voice cut through the air, cold and firm. "Charles, this is your last chance. Miss it, and you'll never see Charlie again." She was betting on his choice. If he chose Dahlia now, she wouldn't take him to Charlie. Charles frowned, hating to be threatened but also aching to see Charlie. Just as he was about to turn off his phone, a text popped up: [Charles, please, pick up. If you don't, Sandy and I will be in danger.]

The urgency in the message shifted his focus immediately. Ignoring Evelyn, he called back. Evelyn's heart sank, feeling like a weight pressed down on her chest. The call connected, and Dahlia's panicked voice filled the car. "Charles, help us." Her voice was loud enough for Evelyn to catch every word.

"What's going on?" Charles' face hardened, his grip on the wheel tightening.

"I don't know who spilled about the jewelry contest's insider scoop, but some guy's gone crazy, accusing me of ruining his life. He wants to kill me!" Dahlia cried out.

Evelyn, knowing Dahlia well, couldn't help but scoff. Just that evening, she'd exposed Dahlia's tactics in front of Charles. Only they were present. It was like she'd handed Dahlia the ammunition to scheme against her.

As expected, Dahlia's words had Charles shooting a deadly glare at Evelyn. "Evelyn, is this what you wanted?" he accused, his voice chilling.

Again, a single word from Dahlia, and he was ready to blame her. Evelyn stayed silent, and Charles' tone grew icy. "You better hope Dahlia and Sandy are okay."

Evelyn's gaze was cold, seeing no trace of the softness or guilt he had once shown for Charlie. The moment Dahlia and Sandy were involved, Charlie was forgotten. Charlie had never been his priority.

Evelyn couldn't hold back a bitter

laugh. "Stop the car," she said, her voice steady but cold. Enough was

enough. Time and again, it was always the same. She didn't even want to explain herself anymore. She had to leave him to believe what he wanted. She felt ridiculous for ever hoping Charles would avenge Charlie if he knew the truth about Dahlia.

Charles glanced at her, still driving. "I said stop the car. I want to get out." Evelyn's voice was edged with anger. She did not want to share the space with him any longer. When he didn't stop, she reached for the

wheel. But Charles swerved sharply, and the sudden movement jerked her back into the seat. Her head hit the door with a thud. "Ugh-" Evelyn's pained cry was drowned out by blaring horns.

Charles was focused on reaching Dahlia and Sandy, and he slammed the accelerator, heading for Greenrose. Evelyn leaned back in ker seat, dazed from the impact. soon arrived at Greenrose's entrance. The gate recognized Charles' car and allowed him in without hesitation as if he owned the place.

Evelyn was still dizzy when Charles pulled her out, his grip unyielding. She stumbled along and was dragged into the house. The front door was ajar. Inside, evidence of Charles' life was everywhere. Unlike Oakwood Manor, this felt like his real home. Oakwood was just a retreat for his needs.

From inside, Dahlia's desperate cries echoed, "No, please, let my daughter go. Don't hurt her, I'm begging you."

Evelyn looked over to see Dahlia kneeling, disheveled and pleading. A few steps away stood a man with wild eyes and a knife, holding Sandy close. "You want to beg now? You thrive on deceit, and you deserve to die!" he yelled with madness in his eyes.