The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 214

The graveyard was cold enough to chill you to the bone, but Evelyn didn’t feel a thing. She was kneeling right in front of Charlie's tombstone, her eyes full of guilt and tenderness as she gazed at the picture of her sweet, smiling face. She had scrubbed away every last trace of the black animal blood, yet the knot of grief in her chest refused to budge—it only grew heavier.

Her heart ached fiercely for Charlie, and her hatred for Dahlia was like a raging fire. Ever since she learned that Dahlia was the one who caused Charlie’s death, these emotions had been a heavy weight on her soul. She wanted Charles to see Dahlia and her daughter for who they really were, to feel the pain of losing Charlie, and to seek justice for her. But here they were, and even after he found out Evelyn hadn’t drugged him all those years ago, even after he realized how good and obedient Charlie had been and that she hadn’t pushed Sandy, he still didn’t see things clearly. His promises to Charlie were nothing but empty air. He continued to side with Dahlia and her daughter, defending them without any sense of right or wrong.

"Charlie, it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry!" Evelyn whispered, her heart breaking. Charlie had been gone for so long, and she hadn’t been able to avenge her. Evelyn despised her own helplessness. She hadn’t protected Charlie while alive, and in death, Dahlia was still hurting her. This sense of powerlessness was like a mountain on Evelyn’s chest.

Tears blurred Evelyn’s vision as she choked out, "Charlie, it’s been so long, and you’ve never visited me in my dreams. Are you mad at me? Are you upset that I know who hurt you but haven’t done anything about it?" Her voice was soft but full of resolve. "Don’t be mad, honey. I’m going to make it right, okay?"

She kissed Charlie’s picture and stood up, wiping her tears away. Her eyes were filled with a fierce determination. She was going to make sure Dahlia paid for what she’d done. Dahlia wouldn’t have any more chances to hurt Charlie.

With some relief, knowing Evelyn had no proof and the only witness was gone, Dahlia relaxed a bit. She needed to plan her next move carefully. She swung by a mall halfway home, switching to her car, and used the medical kit Charles had left for Sandy to patch up her forehead. Looking at her bloodied reflection, her face twisted with anger. If she hadn’t managed to brace herself every time Evelyn forced her down, she might have ended up dead at Charlie’s grave tonight. One day, she vowed, she’d make Evelyn join her daughter.

After tending to her injuries, Dahlia drove back to Greenrose. When she reached home, the nanny heard the car and came out to see her. The nanny gasped when she saw Dahlia with a blood-soaked bandage on her head and her clothes stained with blood. Some of it was from her own wound, and some from the black animal blood intended for Charlie’s grave that she splashed on herself. The sight was enough to frighten anyone. "Ms. Dahlia, what on earth happened to you? How did you end up so badly hurt?"