The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 552

He couldn't afford to panic. The fire department was at least fifteen minutes away, even at their fastest.

With a blaze this fierce, fifteen minutes was too long-Eve and Ms. Josephine wouldn't survive.

Charles didn't hesitate. He pounded on the first-floor neighbor's door.

As soon as they opened, he explained the fire upstairs, urging them to alert building management and help evacuate everyone. He borrowed their bathroom, turned on the shower, and drenched himself in cold water from head to toe.

Soaking wet, Charles tore up the stairs to Evelyn's floor.

The heat intensified with every step; by the time he reached the landing, his skin prickled with the searing burn.

If it felt this unbearable outside, what was it like for Ms. Josephine and Eve inside? His heart clenched with dread.

He grabbed the hall's emergency fire equipment, yanked out a small extinguisher, and blasted the flames at the door until the fire subsided.

The extinguisher, now empty, became his battering ram. The door, already weakened by the fire, gave way with a crash.

Charles dropped the extinguisher, shrugged off his sopping coat, and held it over his head as a shield. Without hesitation, he plunged into the inferno.

"Eve! Ms. Josephine!"

Smoke billowed, thick and choking. Flames leapt everywhere.

heat devoured him as soon as he stepped

Charles sprinted to the bathroom, soaked himself again,

was in there-her

the door

trapped in the corner, half-conscious

wrapped his coat around her, gritting against the burning pain as he

her off to a property

department is only a few minutes

who'd convinced Maple Grove to switch management companies;

to go back inside,

too dangerous! The fire is out

to the hospital. Now!" Charles

process-soaking himself thoroughly-before dashing

already collapsed on the floor,

rushed to her side, wrapping her in

her up, holding

I won't let anything happen to

fire had already dried the water from his body, his skin

held Evelyn firmly

they neared the exit, the entryway cabinet toppled, crashing down toward

strides

his arm at the