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.

him as soon as he

soaked himself

was in

shoved the

Evelyn, was trapped in

her, gritting against

to a property manager

fire department is

was Charles who'd convinced Maple Grove to switch

go back inside, the staff

dangerous! The fire is

Now!" Charles ordered, then raced back

process-soaking himself thoroughly-before dashing into the guest

collapsed on the floor, barely

he rushed to her side, wrapping her in his

up, holding

afraid. I won't let anything happen

fire had already dried the water from his

Charles held Evelyn firmly and pushed toward the

the entryway cabinet toppled, crashing down

few strides from

his arm at