The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 170

Sandy nestled into her mom's hand, her voice small and pained, "Mommy, it hurts so much..."

But Dahlia didn’t coddle her; instead, she spoke with a firm tone, "I'll be calling your dad soon. He'll meet us at the hospital. Save those cries for when he's there..."

"And remember, tell him everything that happened at kindergarten today. Make sure he knows how much it hurt."

Sandy nodded obediently.

"That's my girl." Dahlia took a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from Sandy's forehead. "Whether mommy and daddy can be together depends on you, Sandy. You won't let me down, right?"

Sandy nodded again, just as dutifully.

Dahlia gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "You're mommy's little girl."

Turning back to her seat, Dahlia’s smile faded instantly as she settled into the driver's seat. She picked up her phone to call Charles.

Charles had just left Evelyn’s hospital room and was on his way to grab breakfast for her when his phone rang. After he picked it up, he was met with Dahlia’s panicked voice, "Charles, something’s happened to Sandy!"

His heart dropped, and the breakfast slipped from his hands, hitting the floor with a muted thud. He didn’t even glance at it as he hurried out, "Where’s Sandy now?"

"I just picked her up from kindergarten. She's in the car with me, and it’s not looking good. We’re on the way..."

Dahlia’s voice was thick with tears, overwhelmed by fear. Through the call, Sandy’s faint cries could be heard, and Charles felt a wrenching heartache, "I’m at the Hospital. Bring her here. I’ll handle everything. What’s going on with Sandy?"

Through her sobs, Dahlia explained Sandy’s condition.

"Dahlia, don’t worry. I’m here. Sandy will be okay."

Once he calmed Dahlia down, he hung up and immediately started calling specialists to meet them at the hospital.

Charles focused on Dahlia and Sandy so much so that he didn’t notice Evelyn watching from a short distance away. Evelyn saw his deep concern for Sandy and had a coldness in her eyes that outmatched the freezing temperatures outside. Turning away, she walked towards the artificial lake behind the hospital.