The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles left Rosa's graveyard, ready to find Evelyn and tell her that Dahlia had been arrested.

Just as he stepped out of the cemetery gates, his phone rang. It was Andrew.

"Charles, Dahlia was just rushed into the ER. She's in critical condition."

Dahlia had been taken into custody, but on the way to the hospital for treatment of her wounds, she suddenly went into hypovolemic shock. She was sent straight to Andrew's private hospital for emergency care.

"Do whatever it takes. Save her, no matter what."

As soon as Charles heard how serious Dahlia's condition was, his expression darkened.

"I understand, Charles. I'll contact the specialist team right away and have them start emergency treatment for Dahlia," Andrew replied.

But his call wasn't just to inform Charles-it was to test the waters. Did Charles want him to pull strings, to bring in the best doctors and try every possible measure to save Dahlia?

Now, having gotten Charles's answer, Andrew was ready to hang up and reach out to the elite medical team Charles had once assembled specifically for Josephine's surgery.

He turned and there was Evelyn, standing just two steps behind him.

She was close enough that Andrew was certain she'd overheard his entire conversation with Charles.noveldrama

Andrew's heart skipped a beat. "Ms. Evelyn..."

He knew the truth: Charles had mistaken his feelings for his so-called first love, but it was always Evelyn-she was the real love of his life, the one Charles had cherished in his heart since he was ten.

Charles had been trying to win her back for so long.

Now, with Evelyn hearing Charles order the best doctors—the same team he'd formed for Josephine-to save Dahlia, the woman Evelyn hated most, would she misunderstand? Would she think Charles still had feelings for Dahlia?

Andrew wanted to explain, but the words caught in his throat. He couldn't even figure out what Charles was thinking. Why had Charles become so frantic the moment he heard Dahlia was in trouble? Why insist, at any cost, she must be saved?

"Dr. Nelson, I'm here to bring my mother in for her follow-up," Evelyn interrupted, her voice steady.

To say she wasn't angry would be a lie.

After everything Dahlia had done-after Charles learned that it was Dahlia who'd maliciously caused Charlie's death-how could he still care so much for her? How could he not let her go?

How could he face Charlie?

But this was between her and Charles. She wouldn't take it out on anyone else. And she certainly didn't want her mother to know. Josephine was still recovering; any upset could be dangerous.

"Ms. Evelyn, have an emergency

patient. I'll arrange another doctor

for your mother's follow-up," Andrew

said quickly. There was no

time to

waste Dahlia was in critical

condition, and Charles had made his

choice-she had to be the priority. Josephine's case would have to wait.

He called for a nurse to handle the arrangements, then hurried away, already dialing the specialist team as he rushed toward the emergency room.

As Andrew's call ended,

Charles-who was also at the hospital-remembered: Today was Josephine's check-up. He realized that Evelyn had probably overheard everything he'd just said to Andrew.

Worried she'd misunderstand, he immediately tried to call Evelyn. The call didn't

go through. That's when he remembered-Evelyn had blocked his number long ago.

Charles got into his car and drove straight to the hospital.

...

The specialist team arrived. Dahlia was stabilized.

The wounds Wesley had inflicted were stitched up, and her back was bandaged. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was in a hospital room. The specialists were gone only the surgeon who had finished stitching her wounds and a nurse remained.

The surgeon, exhausted from the lengthy procedure, headed to the staff room to

change out of his scrubs and rest.

The nurse, with her back to Dahlia, was tidying up.

Dahlia realized this was her chance to escape.

Fighting through the pain and weakness, her desperation for freedom gave her

strength. She forced herself to sit up in bed.