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.

was her daughter-there was no more space for anything else. Her heart was full, aching, but focused only on

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

blinked a steady green line, its soft beeping a lifeline

face was drained of color, making

"Charlie..."

shaky, caught between a sob and a prayer. With trembling hands, she

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

Charlie. Mommy's here...

whispered again and again, as much for herself

her head, pressing her forehead to Charlie's little hand. Finally, the tears

Thank God.

Her baby was safe.

...

Next door

have passed, but Andrew's nerves still buzzed

Charles's body

like a

fragile,

together. ving

as Charles didn't wake, Andrew couldn't breathe

thick with the smell of

one knew how long

Then-

Charles's eyelids fluttered, struggling open just a

"Charles!

voice

rough with relief,

awake!" Andrew's shoulders

swam, everything blurred

lips moved, and he managed a

now... had he heard

pain and confusion, just hearing her had been like a jolt of