The Day Our Promise Breaks

Andrew's voice shook, caught somewhere between disbelief and wild relief.

Evelyn stood off to the side, glued to the monitors. When the numbers finally ticked upward, her hands clenched so hard her knuckles went white.

Another rescue, every second agonizing.

She didn't look away from the screens, not once.

She watched Charles's heartbeat finally steady-still faint, but holding on. His blood pressure stopped its terrifying drop.

He was stable now.

He was going to make it.

Evelyn exhaled, only then realizing she'd been holding her breath the whole time.

It hit her then—she hadn't breathed properly for who knows how long.

The weight of that realization pressed down on her chest.

Almost immediately, she dropped her gaze, tore her eyes from Charles's pale frame on the bed, and turned sharply toward the door.

Her steps were quick-urgent, almost desperate, as if she had to get out before she broke.

Andrew wanted to call after her, ask her to stay with Charles.

But seeing her cold, retreating figure, the words died on his lips.

He knew Charles had hurt Ms. Evelyn deeply. Some wounds didn't heal with apologies.

She'd come at all. That was already more than he could ask for.

He couldn't force her to stay.

Only when she got to Charlie's room did Evelyn feel the storm inside her settle.

think of was her daughter-there was no more space for anything else. Her heart

and slid straight to Charlie's bedside. She searched her daughter's small face, desperate for reassurance. Charlie

the bed blinked a steady green line, its soft beeping a lifeline Evelyn

drained of color, making Evelyn's

"Charlie..."

prayer. With trembling hands,

warmth was like a fresh spring after a drought-pulling her back

now, Charlie.

and again, as much for herself as

bowed her head, pressing her forehead to Charlie's

Thank God.

Her baby was safe.

...

Next door

passed, but Andrew's nerves still buzzed with

Charles's body

was like a

fragile,

together. ving

Charles didn't wake, Andrew

dragged by, thick with the smell

knew how long

Then-

struggling open just a crack. The light stabbed at

"Charles!

voice

rough with relief,

You're awake!" Andrew's

everything

cracked lips moved, and he

had he heard

lost in pain and confusion, just hearing her had been like a