The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 410

Andrew hadn't left the hospital; he had been crashing in his office. Before hitting the sack, he made sure the nurse would wake him up the moment Josephine came to. He quickly threw on his white coat and hustled over. As he walked in, Evelyn was just stepping out.

Andrew moved in to check on Josephine, while Evelyn stood anxiously by the bed. Once Andrew wrapped up the examination, Evelyn couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Nelson, how's my mom doing?"

"She's out of the woods and stable now," Andrew said, letting out a big sigh of relief.

Behind them, a nurse discreetly ended a call she had been on and tucked her phone away. On the other end was Dahlia. After leaving the hospital the day before, she had barely caught a wink, waiting for news that the old lady hadn't made it through the surgery. She was itching to see Evelyn fall apart, maybe even lose her mind. But to her surprise, the old lady had pulled through.

The whole mess had been a fluke. Dahlia hadn't meant to reveal her hand. But losing the jade pendant, which ended up with the old lady, had thrown a wrench in her plans. Now that Josephine was awake and in the clear, last night's events couldn't be swept under the rug. If the truth got to Evelyn and Charles, Dahlia knew she was done for.

Dahlia grabbed her phone and tried calling Charles again, but his phone was still off. She was drowning in panic, feeling like a sword was hanging over her, ready to drop and shatter her world into pieces.

...

Back at the hospital, Andrew advised Josephine to rest before heading out. Josephine, still feeling frail, watched Evelyn come closer. Holding Evelyn’s hand, she struggled to voice a truth she had realized before blacking out. "Eve, there's something I need to ask you," she managed to say, her voice weak.

"Mom, whatever it is, let's talk about it when you're feeling better," Evelyn softly reassured her, knowing rest was the best medicine right now.

"I'm fine," Josephine insisted, gripping Evelyn’s hand tightly and locking eyes with her, showing her determination.

Evelyn knew her mom's stubborn streak; just like when she refused surgery, even with Charles using it as leverage over her.