The Day Our Promise Breaks

Dahlia stepped out of the shower, still simmering from the humiliation she had

faced earlier. Overcome with rage, she began to toss things around her bedroom, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Her chest rose and fell with each angry breath.

On her way back, she'd discovered that her conversation with Evelyn had been leaked. Charles was supposed to have destroyed the recording, so how on earth did it get out? It had to be Evelyn's doing. Charles had already landed her in a 48- hour detention because of that old witch, and Evelyn still wouldn't let it go. It was maddening.

Just as Dahlia was about to explode with anger, her phone rang. She scowled at the screen, seeing Sandy's name pop up. Her expression softened a bit as she answered.

Before she could even muster a frosty greeting, Sandy's cheerful voice came through, "Mommy, are you done with work? When are you coming to see me? Daddy's here, you know!"

Sandy had grabbed the chance to call Dahlia while Charles was in the bathroom. It had been two days since she'd seen her mom, and she missed her dearly. She'd asked her dad where her mom was, and he had said that Mommy was very busy but would come to the hospital soon.

Sandy didn't dare pester for her mom, worried that if she interrupted something important, her mom would be upset. "I'll be right there. Keep your dad around, okay?" Dahlia instructed her.

"Okay, Mommy," Sandy chirped happily. Hearing the toilet flush, Sandy quickly hung up the phone.

Charles emerged from the bathroom. With Dahlia in detention these past two days, Sandy, who had just undergone surgery, needed her parents more than ever. Unable to find her mom, Sandy had called Charles, crying that she missed him. Concerned for Sandy's fragile state, Charles had rushed to the hospital to be with her. Only his presence could calm her enough to take her medicine and receive her injections.

"Daddy, can you read me another story?" Sandy asked, her eyes filled with longing as she looked up at Charles. She was afraid that if Charles left, her mom might get upset when she arrived, so she clung to him.

"Sure thing," Charles replied. Sandy was still pale from the surgery, and her pleading gaze made it hard for

him to refuse. Though disappoin

in Dahlia, Charles genuinely cared for Sandy and didn't want to pull her into adult conflicts. Even after taking action against Dahlia, he had instructed the staff to keep quiet, ensuring Sandy wouldn't find out.

Charles sat beside Sandy, picking up a storybook. Sandy chose the longest story for him to read, and Charles obliged. He read to her in his deep, gentle voice while she watched him with adoration. The atmosphere was warm and comforting.noveldrama

Dahlia's arrival shattered this

peaceful scene. The scandal was still trending online, and Dahlia's funds were nearly gone, leaving her unable to remove the trending topic. Afraid of another confrontation like the one at the mall, she wrapped herself up tightly. Only when she entered the hospital room did she peel off her mask and hat.

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"Mommy!" Sandy's eyes sparkled with joy when she saw Dahlia. In front of Charles, Dahlia made sure to act the doting mother. She rushed to the bedside, leaned in close to Sandy, and kissed her forehead. "Sandy, I'm sorry. Mommy's been busy these past days and couldn't be with you. You're not mad at Mommy, are you?"

"Mommy, I could never be mad at you," Sandy replied sincerely, even though Dahlia was putting on a show. With Charles there, Dahlia wouldn't push Sandy away. Sandy reached out and hugged Dahlia, nuzzling into her neck with affection.

Charles watched Dahlia with a visible cooling of warmth. As she moved closer, he stood up. "Sandy, now that Mommy's here, Daddy's going to leave. Be good, okay?" Sandy didn't want Charles to go and held onto him. Charles patted her head, "Be good."

His simple words made Sandy nod obediently. Charles got up and left. Dahlia followed him out. "Charles, did you see the trending topic? Evelyn leaked it..." But before she could accuse Evelyn, Charles cut her off coldly, "It was me."

Those two words stopped Dahlia in her tracks. She stared at Charles, stunned. Even as he walked away, she couldn't wrap her head around it. How could Charles be so heartless? Just because she wasn't Debbie, he could treat her so cruelly!

... It took Dahlia a while to shake off the suffocating pain and return to the hospital room. She looked at Sandy, "Did Daddy stay with you these past few days?"

"Yes, Mommy," Sandy nodded, noticing the worry on Dahlia's face. Hearing this, Dahlia breathed a sigh of relief. Charles' affection for Sandy was deeper than she had imagined. Fortunately, she still had Sandy. She hadn't lost. As long as she had Sandy, even if she wasn't Debbie, she still had a chance.