The Day Our Promise Breaks

"No, I got held up with something."

Charles responded in a subdued voice, carrying Sandy into the house.

Under the bright lights, Dahlia, whose attention had been fixed on Charles, noticed his lower lip was cut. It looked like someone had bitten it. Dahlia's smile froze for a moment.

Was Evelyn the "something" that held Charles up? Was she using her charms to keep him by her side?

...

Eight-thirty was Sandy's bedtime every night. After bathing her, Dahlia carried her to bed.

Charles picked up a bedtime storybook and sat by the bed, ready to lull her to sleep.

Sandy snuggled into his embrace, hugged his neck, and cooed softly, "Daddy, please don't go tonight. Stay and sleep with me and Mommy, okay?"

Dahlia had just finished tidying up the bathroom and stepped out. She frowned upon hearing this and scolded her daughter, "Sandy, don't make a fuss."

by her mom. Tears quickly filled her eyes, and she watched Dahlia with a whimpering cry. "I'm not

with their Mommy

this, Dahlia felt a pang of heartache. Wearing the clothes that got wet

position.

all

softly tried to comfort her distraught daughter,, "Be a good girl, Sandy. Stop crying, okay? The doctor just told

to stay. Her small hands clutched Charles' sleeve. She shook it and

"Charles, don't mind

Her tears made her look even more pitiful as if she had been

intermittently, looking

had just stabilized, and she needed to rest well. Getting too

end, Charles nodded, agreeing to

...

received a call from Dahlia early in the morning, asking to

and