The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles raced to the hospital, his mind a whirlwind of worry. Outside the

emergency room, Dahlia sat in a wheelchair, tears streaming down her cheeks, looking utterly lost.

At the sight of Charles, her tears flowed even more. "Charles..." she called out, her voice trembling with desperation.noveldrama

Charles rushed to her side, his face etched with concern. "Sandy seemed fine this afternoon. How did things get so serious so quickly?"

"I don't know," Dahlia replied, her words stumbling over each other. "She was perfectly okay before bed, then out of nowhere, she spiked a fever, and her heart rate just dropped. I had to call the doctor right away. They said she's in critical condition and asked me to sign..."

"I couldn't bring myself to do it... I'm terrified of losing her..."

Charles tried to reassure her, gently patting her back. "Sandy's going to pull through."

But even as he spoke, his eyes betrayed his own fear, darting anxiously toward the emergency room door. He couldn't bear the thought of losing another child after already losing Charlie.

Dahlia leaned into him, seeking comfort in his presence.

...

Time dragged on, each moment stretching unbearably, until finally, the emergency room doors swung open. Charles was on his feet in an instant, with Dahlia right behind him.

"Doctor, how's Sandy?" they both asked, their voices overlapping.

The doctor's expression was somber. "Sandy's condition is quite serious. She initially had some time, but the fever has made things worse. She needs surgery soon-within a week at most."

The more dire the situation, the less time they had to act. Families did everything to prevent infections and complications that could worsen the patient's state.

"It's all my fault," Dahlia cried, overwhelmed with guilt. "I should have taken better care of her."

In her anguish, she raised her hand to slap herself, but Charles caught it just in time. "Dahlia, stop."

"Charles...she sobbed, gripping his hand tightly. "What can we do? We only have a week. Please, I need your help. I've already lost you, and Sandy is all I have left."

"She means the world to me. If anything happens to her, I don't know how I'll go on..."

"Sandy will be fine," Charles assured her, though his voice was thick with emotion. "I'll find a kidney donor, whatever it takes."

He stepped aside, phone in hand, dialing numbers frantically, reaching out to anyone who might help find a matching donor.

Dahlia sat quietly, struggling to keep herself together. Sandy's situation was dire, and with Adam's kidney available, she couldn't understand why Charles hadn't mentioned it. Was he really that concerned about upsetting Evelyn? Wasn't she supposed to be his true love, his heart's desire? How had Evelyn

taken her place?

Charles was still on the phone when Sandy was wheeled out. The little girl lay pale and fragile on the hospital bed, her face as white as the sheets.

Whitovel

Dahlia took her hand, tears slipping down her face. Despite her weakness, Sandy remembered what Dahlia had taught her to say.

"Daddy..."

That single word made Charles end his call immediately and rush to her side.

"Sandy," he said softly, his eyes filled with pain as he took her other hand. "Daddy's here. It's okay, sweetheart, don't be scared."

"I'm sorry for making you worry, Daddy," Sandy whispered, her voice barely audible.