The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 258

Hospital Room

Just like the doctor warned, Evelyn's will to live was hanging by a thread, and she hadn't stirred since they wheeled her out of the emergency room. Brooks sat right by her hospital bed, refusing to leave her side for even a moment. The whole night, he fought against the temptation to close his eyes or let his mind drift, terrified that something might happen to her if he did.

He kept whispering words of encouragement to Evelyn, desperate to ignite some spark of life in her. But it was like talking to a wall. She could hear him, sure, but she didn't give any sign of it. She just lay there, peacefully surrendering to whatever fate had in store, her life's essence slipping away with each passing heartbeat.

It was like she had already decided she didn't want to live anymore.

"Mr. Brooks, maybe bringing someone important to Evelyn might help," the morning doctor suggested, having come to check on her.

The first name that popped into Brooks's head was Charlie. He couldn't stand the thought of leaving Evelyn alone in the hospital, so he quickly called his assistant to track down Charlie and bring her over as fast as possible.

After hanging up, Brooks leaned in close to whisper in Evelyn's ear, "Evelyn, I've asked someone to bring Charlie. Think about her; she's only five. She needs her mom. Please, don't give up on yourself, okay?"

For the first time, upon hearing Charlie's name, tears quietly slipped down Evelyn's cheeks. Brooks noticed this change and felt a glimmer of hope, his eyes misting over.

But just as he thought things were looking up, the monitor by the bed started beeping like crazy. Caught off guard by the sudden change, Brooks was frozen for a second before he snapped back to reality. He didn't even think to press the call button; he just bolted out of the room, yelling, "Doctor! Doctor!"

Luckily, the doctor was still nearby. Hearing Brooks's frantic calls, he spun around and dashed back into the room, immediately starting the emergency procedures on Evelyn, racing against time.

Brooks stood there, his whole body chilled to the core, watching the scene unfold with a mind unable to process anything. Everything was a blur until Evelyn's heartbeat steadied again.

legs nearly gave way. He managed to catch himself against the wall just

from her eyes. Looking at her, so

coffee cup Charlie had made for Charles.

had begun to form, and it was confirmed

away a few months ago due to

No mother could easily

survived these last

now why she was so lost in despair. Her grief was real, and her choice to end it all

stand by

do? He'd already said everything he could think of. How could he make someone who had given up on life find the will

knew that emotional wounds

his assistant, instructing him to gather everything related to Charlie as

clips from Charlie's kindergarten teacher. The doctor had mentioned

Thanksgiving video the kindergarten had recorded, intending to edit it as a gift for the

video softly by Evelyn's ear. He knew she could hear

asked Charlie, "Charlie, what would you like to say to your mom

sweet, innocent

"Thank you, Mom,

me into

every day, for taking me