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.

...

day. By the

food all day, she was

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

but the complex was old and run-down. A few of the streetlights still worked, and the property management did nothing to

behind her. Having been dragged into an alley once before, she was on

quietly slipped her hand into her bag and gripped the

was no one

breath of relief but didn't let down her guard. She turned back around and

started walking, the footsteps

scalp tingled. Without looking back, she quickened her pace. As she sped up, the footsteps behind her did the

to her building as fast as she could, swiped her access card

back. Through the glass door, there was no sign of anyone following her. Was it just her imagination

a sigh of relief as the elevator doors closed. The old elevator moved slowly. After a

stepped out and

close the door behind her, a large hand slapped against it,