The Day Our Promise Breaks

The nurse quickly caught Charles, helping him back to the hospital bed. But Charles wasn't having it.

"Charles, are you trying to worry me sick?" Dahlia's eyes were red as she glanced at the blood seeping through Charles's bandages.

In that moment, Charles couldn't focus on Dahlia. His mind was racing with the news he'd just seen. Steadying himself with one hand on the bed, he grabbed his phone with the other and dialed Aiden. He ordered him to ramp up the search teams to find Evelyn.

Once he finished giving orders, Charles turned to his bodyguard. "Take me to Elm Street."

Dahlia stayed silent as Charles coordinated the rescue, though deep inside, she knew the harsh truth: Evelyn had fallen into the river almost ten hours ago. Her survival seemed impossible. Even with all hands on deck, they might only recover a body. A lifeless body. No longer a threat.

A wave of relief swept over Dahlia. That woman had brought her so much misery. Evelyn, the thorn in her side, was finally out of the picture. Now, nothing stood between her and Charles.

But seeing Charles determined to go himself, Dahlia, sitting in her wheelchair, grabbed his arm tightly, trying to stop him. "Charles, I know you're worried about Evelyn, but Brooks is already there, and you've sent Aiden with the team. They've got it covered."

"There's nothing more to worry about," she continued. "You just got through a critical phase and need to rest. Even if you don't care about your health, I do. I'm not letting you go."

Charles was risking his health, and she couldn't just stand by. "Take Ms. Dahlia back to her room," Charles instructed the bodyguards at the door.

This was all set up by Patrick, who was worried Evelyn might show up, so he had Aiden arrange it. "Yes, Mr. Jenkins," the bodyguard responded as he moved to wheel Dahlia out.

"Stop Charles!" Dahlia shouted, frustrated, but the bodyguard didn't listen, pushing her out of the room.

"Charles!" she called back, trying to stop him. But Charles didn't turn around. He signaled for the nurse to bring his coat, struggling to put it on before settling into the wheelchair the bodyguard brought, and then headed out.

Seeing Charles willing to jeopardize his health for Evelyn, Dahlia

del Tell out of her wheelchair

just before being taken into her room. "Charles!" Content b

Charles hesitated only for a moment, then told the nurse, "Take good care of Ms. Dahlia," before rushing off.

The night was as dark as ink. When Aiden spotted Charles, he hurried over. "Mr. Jenkins, why are you here?"noveldrama

In his current state, Charles shouldn't have left the hospital. "Have you found her?" Charles asked, his voice tense.

Aiden shook his head slightly, noting Charles's poor state. "Mr. Jenkins, I'm sure Ms. Evelyn will be alright."

"I'll keep searching with the rescue team, and as soon as we find Ms. Evelyn, I'll let you know. You need to go back to the hospital and rest."

He was worried Charles wouldn't last much longer. "Keep searching," Charles insisted.

Charles stayed put, his eyes locked on the river, watching the rushing water as his hands clenched the wheelchair tightly, his knuckles turning white.

All night, Brooks's team and Charles's kept up the search, but they found nothing. Charles held on until the next day, but eventually, he couldn't hold out any longer and passed out.

When he finally woke again, three days had gone by. Aiden, without further

instructions, continued the search. Charles called him.