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.

...

of the ER. Brooks watched over her, his heart aching as tears slipped silently down her cheeks

She stared at the ceiling, the sharp scent of antiseptic in the air, and realized

something so reckless?" Brooks asked softly, his hand still gently brushing

tears flowing quietly. She was simply

out.

let the person who caused Charlie's death walk free?" Brooks's words

"I'm sorry," he began, "I looked into your past

Brooks hadn't planned on digging

had tried to end

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

back, her daughter, Charlie, had passed away from kidney failure. The records didn't indicate foul play,

how Evelyn had stood drenched outside a banquet, asking for his 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.

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lived there. Evelyn's demeanor towards Dahlia had sparked his suspicion, though he couldn't be certain, But now, seeing her reaction, Brooks knew he