The Day Our Promise Breaks

"I won't leave." Charles assured her once more.

Only then did Dahlia finally relax, closing her eyes with a sense of peace. With Charles by her side, it didn't take long for her to drift into a restful sleep, her breathing smooth and steady. Charles waited until he was sure Dahlia was completely asleep before he gently started to pull his hand away.

"Charles!" Dahlia suddenly startled awake, her eyes snapping open.

When she realized Charles had just shifted to sit at the edge of the bed, she sighed in relief and shut her eyes again. This time, she clung tightly to the hem of his shirt, ensuring he stayed put. 'Evelyn, even if Charles knew you hadn't drugged him five years ago, it wouldn't make any difference!' She thought.

In Charles' heart, she was his savior, forever his greatest love, and the most important woman in his life!

No matter what she'd been through, his love for her was as steadfast as ever.

What right did Evelyn have to compete with her?

...

Charles had left Evelyn on the roadside, and she trudged along a path so quiet it was almost eerie.

Fear was inevitable, but giving into it was pointless.

Suppressing her inner dread, Evelyn picked up her pace. Though it would take hours to walk back to the city, it was better than waiting around.

Would she wait for Charles to have a change of heart? Yeah, right. She'd long since given up on that hope.

The cold winter air bit at her feet, which were only covered by socks. After more than twenty minutes of walking, Evelyn reached a fork in the road.

She was far from the city, unfamiliar with the area, and her phone was broken, leaving her without navigation. Standing at the three-way split, she was unsure which way to go.

After a moment's hesitation, she chose the middle path and pressed on.

Another twenty minutes passed, and still, not a single car came by. Then she heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching from behind.

Evelyn stopped and turned to look. She saw an ordinary motorcycle, its rider donning a worn-out helmet and a dusty down jacket.

In the dim night light, she locked eyes with an unfriendly stare.

Evelyn's breath caught. She had

initially thought about asking the et

rider for a lift, but now, only two thoughts echoed in her mind Danger. Run.

Her brain sent the command, and her legs responded, sprinting forward. No matter how fast she ran, she couldn't outrun the

swne

motorcycle. In mere seconds, it had overtaken her, blocking her path.

Their eyes met again, and Evelyn noticed the man's gaze wasn't on her face but on the purse she was holding.

Was this a robbery for money and not something worse?

Thinking he was just after hernoveldrama

belongings Evelyn stopped running. She chose to cooperate, pulled out all the valuables from her purse, and handed them over as he parked and approached her. "Here, take these."

The man was indeed after her money. He saw Evelyn comply and didn't make things harder for her.

He took the items, eyed Evelyn's purse-which appeared valuable too—and demanded in a gruff voice, "Hand over the purse." Evelyn complied again, passing the bag to him.

"Your coat too." The man noticed Evelyn's coat looked pricey as well.

Evelyn took off her coat and handed it over. Without the coat, she shivered against the biting cold.

"Give me anything else you've got that's valuable, or I won't be so nice!"

The man had no interest in her personally, only in her belongings, and he barked his threat harshly.