The Day Our Promise Breaks

Inside the room, Dahlia caught Charles' firm tone and had a smug glint in her eyes. But that smugness quickly gave way to fear, as if she could feel snakes wrapping around her, making her shiver uncontrollably. She wanted out of that room, like, yesterday.

Tears streamed down Dahlia's cheeks as she whimpered, "Charles, I'm terrified... please get me out of here..." Her fear was real, but so was her intent to twist the knife into Evelyn a bit more.

Evelyn had just locked her up when Charles swooped in for the rescue. Yet, when Evelyn was locked up for a full day and night, Charles was nowhere to be found. Imagining the door swinging open and Charles whisking her away right in front of Evelyn filled Dahlia with glee. Evelyn would never get the upper hand.

"Grandma, this isn't Dahlia's doing. I'm the one who locked Evelyn up. Please, let Dahlia go," Charles pleaded.

Rosa responded with a cold chuckle. "Not a chance! You locked Evelyn up all day and night for Dahlia. Let me tell you, Dahlia won't leave this basement even a second early."

"If you dare let Dahlia out before her time, consider me gone." Rosa's gaze was steely, and she wasn't one to bluff.

Charles knew better than to argue with his grandmother's fiery temper, so he kept quiet.

Eve without proof, I'll make sure Dahlia gets

early," she

"Yes, ma'am."

a look and said sternly, "You're right. You locked

Charles complied without a

...

gloomy basement behind. In the brightly dit living room, Charles finally noticed Evelyn's ghostly pale face and the cuts on her lips. She

en novelxo

moved forward, taking hold of Evelyn's wrist. "What

fingers, making her wince and suck in