The Day Our Promise Breaks

Aiden saw the fire in Charles' eyes and knew he had to act fast before things spiraled out of control. He jumped in to stop Charles from doing something he'd regret. After all, they lived in a society where the law ruled, and murder was a line you just didn't cross, not even for someone like Dahlia.

Charles clenched his eyes shut, trying to smother the rage that bubbled up inside. Just as he was about to squeeze the life out of Dahlia, he let go. Dahlia slumped back into her wheelchair, gasping for air, which quickly turned into a fit of violent coughing. Her face was a mess, streaked with tears and snot.

With a look of pure disgust, Aiden gave Dahlia's wheelchair a hard kick, sending her rolling away from Charles. He was determined to keep Charles from losing his cool again. That morning, Charles had shown up at the office looking like he was ready to take on the world, and Aiden knew just how deep his hatred for Dahlia

ran.

Dahlia's wheelchair crashed into a flowerbed, tipping over and spilling her onto the ground. She lay there, coughing and utterly disheveled.

"Get her out of here!" Aiden commanded, and the security team stepped in without hesitation. Their boss's earlier demeanor had left no room for doubt. They didn't hold back, treating Dahlia with the same disdain Charles had shown.

One of the guards grabbed Dahlia's arm with no gentleness, dragging her across the ground like she was nothing more than a rag doll. They were quick to follow Mr. Jenkins's lead, eager to earn his approval.

Sandy, meanwhile, had been pushed far from the scene, unable to hear what was being said, but she could see Charles's hands around Dahlia's neck. In desperation, she cried out, "Daddy, please don't hurt Mommy... let her go..."

Her cries were carried away by the wind. Even if Charles could hear her, Sandy's tears wouldn't change a thing now.

Dahlia was dragged to where Sandy was waiting. Her shoes were long gone, and her socks were shredded from the rough journey. Her once-pristine manicure was ruined, nails chipped and fingers bloody. The pain was excruciating, turning her face ghostly pale.

When she finally caught her breath enough to speak, the guards unceremoniously dropped her next to Sandy, tossing her wheelchair alongside.

"Get lost, and don't show your face around Jenkins Enterprises again!" one of the guards barked before turning away.

Sandy rushed to her mother's side, tears streaming down her face as she knelt to help Dahlia sit up. "Mommy, does it hurt? Let me help," she said through her sobs.

Seeing the marks on Dahlia's neck and her injured feet, Sandy's tears fell even harder. But Dahlia, finally stable in her seat, ignored Sandy's concern and slapped her. "How could you be so useless!"noveldrama

Sandy, still crying, apologized immediately, "I'm sorry, Mommy. Please don't be mad. Let me help you up."

Dahlia's chest heaved with anger. She'd thought that coming to Charles would restore her old life, but instead, she found herself in this mess. But she couldn't afford to lose Sandy just yet. Sandy still had her uses.

Dahlia refused to believe Charles could be so heartless. His calmness was only because her injuries were superficial. But what if Sandy's life was on the line? Charles had proven he'd go to great lengths for Sandy, even more than if she were his own. When Sandy faced kidney failure, Charles, a man of principles, was pushed to pressure Adam into signing a donation agreement.

A man who'd go that far for Sandy-Dahlia couldn't believe he'd just watch if Sandy were dying.

With a new plan forming, Dahlia didn't strike Sandy again. But her voice was still cold. "Help me up."

Sandy quickly wiped her tears and, with all her might, managed to get Dahlia back into the wheelchair.

Charles, meanwhile, got into his car, his anger still simmering. If murder weren't illegal, Dahlia would have already met a gruesome fate. He fantasized about making her suffer,

keeping her alive just enough to feel every bit of pain.

"Mr. Jenkins, once we meet with Wesley and get him to talk, we'll have the

evidence we need to bring Dahlia to justice," Aiden assured him.

"Yeah," Charles muttered, his voice low.

It took a while, but he finally

managed to push down the rage inside. The car sped towards Wesley's prison. Learning that Dahlia had deliberately caused Charlie's death had shattered everything he

once believed. Eve hadn't been

unfairly targeting Dahlia; Dahlia was

guilty of unspeakable crimes.

He thought back to when Eve had brought Wesley to identify Dahlia. Eve had claimed Dahlia was responsible for Charlie's death, and Dahlia, fearing exposure, had hired a hitman to silence John permanently.