The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Everything's right here," the private investigator said, handing Evelyn all the information he had gathered. Evelyn took the documents and passed him the final payment. "I'll reach out if I need more," she added. The investigator nodded, pocketed the money, and left.

Evelyn wasted no time tearing open the file, scanning each page with intense focus, hoping for a breakthrough. Yet, despite the renowned investigator's best efforts, she found nothing useful about Dahlia. If he couldn't dig up dirt on Dahlia, chances were slim anyone else could.

Her eyes lingered on the last page, and a profound sense of helplessness washed over her. The only person who knew about Dahlia's sinister organ swap was John, and he was dead-taking the evidence with him. Evelyn had tried speaking with John's wife, but she was in the dark, too. She claimed John orchestrated everything and prevented her from donating a kidney to Charlie. She had no idea who eventually received her kidney or if John was paid off.

Learning of Charlie's death, John's wife had knelt before Evelyn, sobbing and pleading for forgiveness. Faced with a woman who had no power in her own home, Evelyn couldn't even muster words of reproach.

Shaking off the memories, Evelyn sat quietly for a moment, letting the emotions settle. Just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from the private investigator. Curious, she opened it while heading out, her eyes widening at what she saw.

It was Brody's birthday in VIP Room 888. Having been pals with Charles for years, Brody knew Charles wasn't fond of his more rambunctious friends, so he kept the guest list to a few close buddies.

down next to Charles with a curious tilt of his head and asked, "Why the

down the wine, the shadows in his eyes growing

the act. Word

shook off Evelyn, that clingy shadow of yours! Cheers to that!" Brody said, clinking his glass

relief, but found his friend looking even more troubled. Charles' cold

the look? Did say something

with the woman you love, giving her and her daughter

If Evelyn hadn't tricked you, you wouldn't have been stuck with her and

could've been celebrating

vel

your fourth child