The Day Our Promise Breaks
Chapter 85

As the engine's hum faded into the distance, Aiden and Dr. Nelson rushed inside. The first thing Dr. Nelson saw was Evelyn sprawled on the floor, looking pretty rough. He was about to kneel down to check on her when Charles' cold, stern voice sliced through the air. "Over here. Sandy's hurt."

Evelyn glanced up, meeting Charles' displeased eyes. His look seemed to say she didn't matter, and why worry if she was okay or not? Sandy was the one who mattered!

Dr. Nelson paused, gave Evelyn a quick look, then turned to grab the medical kit from Aiden and headed over to Sandy. He knelt beside the couch to tend to her injuries. "Mr. Charles, don't worry. It's not serious. I'll stitch up Sandy's wound first."

Sandy was just a little girl, so Dr. Nelson gave her a local anesthetic to numb the pain before treating her wound. Still, she was shaken up, lying in Charles' arms, shivering like a leaf. Charles looked down at her with a gentle and tender expression, endlessly soothing her with soft words.

Evelyn watched Charles, his eyes filled with concern as he comforted Sandy. It reminded her of when Charlie was first admitted to the hospital. All the other kids had their dads there to comfort them, but Charlie didn't.

Charlie took a chance while Evelyn was fetching water and bravely called Charles on her smartwatch, timidly asking, "Dad, can you come and stay with me? I'm sick, and the shots really hurt..."

But Charles had just coldly replied, "Don't be like your mother. She's always lying," and hung up.

When Evelyn returned to the hospital room and stood at the door, she saw Charlie staring at the disconnected call on her watch. Her little lips were quivering, tears rolled down as she murmured, "Dad, I wasn't lying. It

really hurts..."

But the call had long ended, and no one answered her. Charlie struggled not to cry too loudly. She didn't want Evelyn to worry, so she covered her mouth, softly whimpering like a wounded animal.

The sight of her daughter cry so heartbreakingly made Evelyn feel like her heart was being ripped apart. She pretended not to hear and called out from the door, "Charlie, Mommy's back."

Charlie quickly hid under the covers,

pretending to sleep. But she was

just a kid. She couldn't just stop crying on cue, and her little

e

shoulders shook under the blanket. Evelyn sat by the bed, gently patting her daughter's back, her heart breaking into pieces.

Charlie soon fell asleep in her mother's comforting presence. Eyes brimming with tears, Evelyn gently wiped away the remaining wetness from Charlie's face, tucked her in, and left the room.

She desperately called Charles repeatedly, and when he finally picked up, she begged him to come to the hospital to be there for Charlie. All she got was, "Evelyn, stop being crazy."

That night, she sat by Charlie's hospital bed, crying all night long. The memory made the scene before Evelyn even more unbearable. Her expression turned icy.

When the dizziness eased, Evelyn

pushed herself up and was ready to

leave. Dahlia, hugging Charles and

crying, saw Evelyn trying to go.. Suddenly, she stood and stormed over Her eyes were blazing with anger.

She grabbed Evelyn's arm, her voice frantic and hysterical. "Evelyn, are you happy now?"