The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 257

No response.

Brooks wasted no time dialing 911, giving them the address with urgency in his voice. As soon as he hung up, he was on his knees beside Evelyn, starting CPR without hesitation. Normally, Brooks was the picture of calm, but when he couldn't find a pulse on her neck or wrist, his composure cracked. His eyes filled with tears as he called out, "Evelyn!"

Still, nothing.

He didn't let fear paralyze him. He cleared her airway, ensuring nothing was blocking her breathing, and started the cycle of rescue breaths and chest compressions. "Evelyn! Come on, wake up! You can't leave me, do you hear?"

But Evelyn didn't stir.

Brooks's eyes turned redder, his exhaustion evident, but he refused to stop. He kept at it, tirelessly, until finally, the ambulance arrived and took over, whisking her away to the hospital.

...

still out cold when she was brought out of the ER. Brooks watched over her, his heart aching as tears slipped silently

the ceiling, the sharp scent of antiseptic in the air, and realized she was alive-Brooks had saved

so reckless?" Brooks asked softly, his hand

She

out.

death walk free?" Brooks's

his hunch was spot on. "I'm sorry," he began, "I looked into

crossed again for a reason. Brooks hadn't planned on digging into Evelyn's life, respecting her privacy

tried to end

bond with Rosa, no matter how strong, wouldn't push her to such despair over her passing alone. Once she was stable, seeing her

no time, he had discovered that a few months back, her daughter, Charlie, had passed

help in the rain. They'd gone to see someone that night, only to find them in a pool of blood. She had demanded to know the truth from the dying person, who had. whispered for her to come inside.

ad from

Dahlia had sparked his suspicion,