The Day Our Promise Breaks

Adam changed into sterile scrubs and lay down on the operating table. As the anesthesia kicked in, he slowly closed his eyes, drifting off into a deep unconsciousness.

Outside the operating room, Dahlia, tears streaming down her face, threw herself into Charles's arms, her voice shaky. "Charles, thank goodness you're here."

Charles was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Saving Sandy was a relief, but the thought of Evelyn dampened any joy he might have felt. He gently moved Dahlia aside, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and headed to the emergency exit to light up.

Dahlia didn't follow. She stayed near the operating room door, the glow of the red light reflecting her growing smile.

In the stairwell, Charles had barely taken a few puffs when his phone rang. He wasn't in the mood to talk, but the caller ID caught his attention. Whatever was said on the other end brought a spark to his eyes. He stubbed out the cigarette and strode off with purpose.

"Charles, where are you going?" Dahlia called after him.

He didn't answer, simply walking away. Dahlia, too absorbed in her own plans, wasn't bothered. She was eager for the surgery to succeed so she could rile up Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Evelyn woke with a start, realizing Adam was gone. Charles had taken him. She turned pale, rushing out and heading straight for the hospital where Sandy was.

When she arrived, only Dahlia waited by the operating room. The light was on, signaling the surgery was underway. Her heart sank. She was too late. Evelyn staggered, leaning against the wall for support.

Dahlia, hearing the commotion, turned to Evelyn, barely concealing her

smugness. She wheeled over, her voice low and taunting. "Evelyn, you're too late. Adam's kidney is already in Sandy."

"I made sure your daughter died, and you couldn't stop it. Now, your friend's sacrifice for your daughter benefits mine. Isn't that painful?"

"The more you hurt, the happier I am!"

Evelyn was seething. Without a word, she kicked Dahlia's wheelchair, sending her sprawling. Her focus shifted to Adam's safety as the surgery continued.

Just then, the operating room light switched off. The surgery was over. A doctor emerged, and Evelyn grabbed his arm, desperate. "Doctor, is the donor okay?"

"Relax, the surgery was a success. Both the donor and patient are fine," the doctor assured her.

Evelyn exhaled in relief.

Charles, hearing Evelyn's voice, came out to meet her. "Evelyn, don't worry, Adam

But Evelyn wasn't listening. She snatched a scalpel from a

nearby

trolley and stabbed Charet

"Charles, you monster!" you monster!"

Her fury at Charles bubbled over now that Adam was safe. Caught off guard, Charles grimaced as blood oozed from his wound.

"Mr. Jenkins," the medical staff

hurried to intervene, but Charles waved them off. He knew Evelyn didn't mean real harm; she needed to vent If a few cuts would ease her pain, he'd endure it. The physical pain was nothing to him.

Evelyn, relentless, drove the scalpel into his shoulder and slashed at his arm, causing more superficial wounds.

"Evelyn, stop!" Dahlia, having been helped up, tried to intervene but was held back.

Evelyn finally halted, leaving Charles's black shirt stained with blood, the metallic scent thick in the air.

"Are you done? Can we talk now?" Charles asked gently, ignoring his wounds to focus on her.

Evelyn dropped the scalpel and turned to the doctor. "Where's the donor?"

The doctor pointed to a stretcher being wheeled out. Evelyn rushed over, only to see an unfamiliar young woman's face.

She froze, confused. "Who is this? Where's Adam?"

"The onenoveldrama

donated to Sandy,"

Charles replied, his voice thick.

wanted to tell you, Sandy didn'enet

use

s kidney. He's fine "content

Evelyn stood there, stunned.

But it was Dahlia who was truly shocked. She pushed past the nurse, demanding,

"It wasn't Adam?"

She had seen Adam go into surgery, so how did it end up being someone else?