The Day Our Promise Breaks

Fortunately, when the cabinet came crashing down, Charles managed to dodge it with the momentum, narrowly avoiding a blow to the head.

But his leg wasn't so lucky-it was pinned beneath the heavy wood.

A wave of agony washed over Charles, sweat breaking out on his brow.

The flames quickly dried the sweat, leaving only the searing pain of his burns.

Every inch of his body felt scorched, the pain nearly unbearable.

Through the smoke and fire, Charles saw Brooks carrying Evelyn to safety. Relief loosened the knot in his chest.

He was trapped inside.

His strength was nearly gone.

The only thing keeping him going was the thought that he hadn't yet made amends with Evelyn or Ms. Josephine. With the last reserves of his energy, Charles managed to free his leg, but he was too weak to move the cabinet blocking the doorway.

His breaths came shorter, each one a struggle. Exhausted, he collapsed to the floor, unable to move another inch.

Just as the last hope seemed to fade, firefighters burst in, doused the flames, and pulled Charles from the burning building. His body was covered in burns, but he was alive-and rushed straight to the hospital.

At the Hospital

"Eve! Ms. Josephine!"

Charles jolted awake, pain burning through every nerve. He bolted upright in bed, panic etched on his face.

"Mr. Jenkins..."

Aiden, startled by the noise, quickly turned and strode to Charles's side, trying to keep him from moving.

But Charles spoke first, urgency in his voice. "How are Eve and Ms. Josephine? Were they hurt? Is it serious?"

His memories were stuck on the inferno from last night. He'd been desperate to get Ms. Josephine and Eve out-he hadn't even stopped to check them over.

"Mr. Jenkins, don't worry. Ms. Josephine and Ms. Evelyn got out in time, thanks to you. They just inhaled some smoke, but the doctors say they'll be fine."

The truth was, Charles had been so focused on protecting them that he'd suffered the worst of the burns-especially on his left leg...

"Where are they?"

How could Charles possibly rest easy?

Last night, he'd seen Ms. Josephine unconscious, and Eve barely clinging to life. He had to see for himself that they were safe—he wouldn't calm down otherwise.

As he spoke, Charles was already throwing off the blanket, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

"Mr. Jenkins, you can't get up yet!" Aiden protested.

Charles's condition was serious. The test results weren't even back yet. The

doctor had been firm: he needed to stay put and rest.

"Where are they? Don't make me ask a third time," Charles demanded, his gaze icy and commanding.

Under the weight of Charles's

authority; Aiden didn't dare defy biel

He finally told Charles which room and Josephine were in.

Without another word, Charles stood up.

The moment his feet hit the floor, a bolt of pain shot through his left aggered, nearly falling, a

He

Aiden

rushed to steady him.bet

Just a few seconds and Charles was drenched in cold sweat.

"Mr. Jenkins..." Aiden tried to reason with him again.

But Charles didn't give him a chance. After a moment of gathering himself, he

gritted his teeth and limped out of the room.

Aiden, worried, followed close behind.

Evelyn was waking up.

She slowly opened her eyes.

Memories of the fire from the night before rushed back. She sat up abruptly. "Mom!"

Her eyes darted to the next bed-Josephine lay there, eyes closed, still as stone.noveldrama

Panic gripped Evelyn's heart. She threw off her blanket and rushed to Josephine's side.

The monitors showed stable numbers. Evelyn let out a shaky breath.

Thank God. Her mother was safe.

Evelyn clutched Josephine's hand and sat quietly beside her.

Flashes from last night replayed in her mind.

Before she lost conscious

remembered a tall,

she

broad-shouldered figure bursting through the flames, risking everything to reach her.

Her heart twisted with emotion.

While she tried to steady herself, the door to the room creaked open.

Evelyn turned at the sound and saw Charles standing in the doorway. Their eyes met.