The Day Our Promise Breaks

As the engine's hum faded into the distance, Aiden and Dr. Nelson rushed inside. The first thing Dr. Nelson saw was Evelyn sprawled on the floor, looking pretty rough. He was about to kneel down to check on her when Charles' cold, stern voice sliced through the air. "Over here. Sandy's hurt."

Evelyn glanced up, meeting Charles' displeased eyes. His look seemed to say she didn't matter, and why worry if she was okay or not? Sandy was the one who mattered!

Dr. Nelson paused, gave Evelyn a quick look, then turned to grab the medical kit from Aiden and headed over to Sandy. He knelt beside the couch to tend to her injuries. "Mr. Charles, don't worry. It's not serious. I'll stitch up Sandy's wound first."

Sandy was just a little girl, so Dr. Nelson gave her a local anesthetic to numb the pain before treating her wound. Still, she was shaken up, lying in Charles' arms, shivering like a leaf. Charles looked down at her with a gentle and tender expression, endlessly soothing her with soft words.

Evelyn watched Charles, his eyes filled with concern as he comforted Sandy. It reminded her of when Charlie was first admitted to the hospital. All the other kids had their dads there to comfort them, but Charlie didn't.

Charlie took a chance while Evelyn was fetching water and bravely called Charles on her smartwatch, timidly asking, "Dad, can you come and stay with me? I'm sick, and the shots really hurt..."

But Charles had just coldly replied, "Don't be like your mother. She's always lying," and hung up.

When Evelyn returned to the hospital room and stood at the door, she saw Charlie staring at the disconnected call on her watch. Her little lips were quivering, tears rolled down as she murmured, "Dad, I wasn't lying. It

really hurts..."

long ended, and no one answered her. Charlie struggled not to cry too loudly. She didn't want Evelyn

her heart was being ripped apart. She pretended not to hear and called out from the door, "Charlie, Mommy's

hid under

sleep.

stop crying

e

bed,

brimming with tears, Evelyn gently wiped away the remaining wetness from

begged him to come to the hospital to be there for Charlie. All she got was,

Charlie's hospital bed, crying all night long. The memory made the scene before Evelyn even more

dizziness eased,