The Day Our Promise Breaks

Dahlia forced herself to stay calm.

Since returning to her home country, Charles had been providing a monthly allowance of a million dollars to support her and her daughter.

When Sandy fell ill, Charles took it upon himself to cover all the medical expenses and other miscellaneous costs. A million dollars wasn't hard for her to handle.

"You better not play any tricks!" John gave Dahlia a warning look.

Before Charles arrived, he quickly slipped around the corner and left.

"Having trouble?" Charles glanced in the direction where John had disappeared.

"He was just asking for directions," Dahlia replied coolly.

Charles didn't inquire further, and they left the hospital together.

...

By the time she woke up,

had any food

where she ordered a large bowl of chicken noodle soup. She ate slowly, spoonful by spoonful, and gradually felt warmth returning to

well-situated, but the complex was old and run-down. A few of the streetlights still

dark stretch of road, she heard footsteps behind her. Having been dragged into an alley once

quietly slipped her hand into her bag and gripped the pocketknife she carried for self-defense, then

no one

down her guard. She turned

walking,

back, she quickened her pace. As she sped up, the

fast as she could, swiped her access card

that she dared to look back. Through the glass door, there was no sign of

towards the elevator. Once inside, she finally breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator doors closed. The

stepped out and

was about to close the door