The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Charles, have you got any humanity left in you?" Evelyn shouted, her voice brimming with fury.

In that moment, she wished she could tear him to pieces. Was Sandy really that important to him? So important that he could just ignore everything else?

Evelyn moved with such speed that Charles, caught off guard with Sandy in one arm and a bowl in the other, couldn't stop her in time. He could only watch as the scalding soup flew towards them. Instinct took over, and he leaned forward, wrapping Sandy protectively in his arms. The hot soup splashed all over his back and arm.

His shirt sleeves were rolled up, leaving his forearm exposed to the burning liquid, turning it an angry red. But Charles didn't even flinch for himself. His first concern was Sandy, checking her over with anxious eyes. "Sandy, are you alright? Did you get burned?"

"Daddy, I'm okay," Sandy replied, her little face pale with fear, pulling at Charles's heartstrings even more. Despite her fright, she noticed his injury right away. "Does it hurt, Daddy?"

Sandy started crying harder, tears running down her cheeks as she tried to blow on Charles's burn to ease the pain. "Daddy's fine," Charles assured her softly, patting her head with a smile.

Then he turned to Evelyn, his gaze sharp with reproach. "Eve, don't you see how much pain Sandy is already in? What are you doing?"

Evelyn's heart was a whirlwind of resentment over Charles's obvious favoritism towards Sandy. Even after two years, it still stoked a fire within her. It always brought back memories of the injustices Charlie faced under Charles's care. He could see Sandy's suffering, but did he ever think about Charlie going through the same? When Charlie was hospitalized, yearning for his presence, what did he do? He told Charlie to stop acting crazy!

And now, here he was, speaking of Sandy's pain as if he wasn't the root of so much of it. Evelyn was livid, her hand flying out to slap him. "Charles, how dare you question me? Are you blind to your own actions?

"You'd do anything for Sandy, wouldn't you? You even wanted to sacrifice Adam's life for hers! You're never going to find peace, Charles!"

Charles frowned, baffled by her accusations. He was about to ask for clarification when Sandy cut in.

"Ms. Evelyn, if you don't like Sandy, take it out on me, not on Daddy." She stood in front of Charles, arms spread wide, the picture of fierce loyalty between father and daughter.

"Sandy..." Dahlia, awakened by the ruckus, wheeled herself into the room, tears in her eyes. "Evelyn, what are you trying to do?"noveldrama

"Isn't hurting me enough? Do you have to go after Sandy too? Will you only be satisfied when she's gone? Dahlia's voice was sharp, using her love for Sandy as a weapon while she aimed her wheelchair at Evelyn, hoping to knock her into the scattered shards on the floor.

In her mind, Dahlia saw Evelyn's face hitting the ground, ruining her beauty. But Evelyn was quick, kicking the wheelchair aside and sending Dahlia sprawling.

"Mommy..." Sandy wailed, desperate to help Dahlia. Charles held her back gently. "Let Daddy help."

Sandy sat on the bed, tears falling

like rain. As Charles moved to assist Dahlia, Sandy suddenly grabbed Evelyn's arm, trying to push her away Get out! You're a bad person! You hurt my mom and dad! don't want you here! Just leave!