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

the bathroom, soaked himself again, and then charged

in

shoved the door

was trapped in the corner, half-conscious

his coat around her, gritting against the burning pain as

to a property manager

the fire department is only

Maple Grove to switch management companies; everyone here knew

life to go back inside, the

fire is out

hospital. Now!" Charles ordered, then raced back

thoroughly-before dashing

was already collapsed on the

as he rushed to her

her up,

be afraid. I won't let anything happen

from his

Charles held

neared the exit, the entryway

few strides

his arm