The Day Our Promise Breaks

She was genuinely scared that something might happen to Sandy.

"I told Adam," Charles admitted without a second thought.

Dahlia was in disbelief, tears streaming down her face. "Why? We agreed to keep this from Evelyn. Why did you tell her?"

"Now Adam's refusing to donate his kidney to Sandy. What are we supposed to do? Just sit back and watch her die?"

"I'm not going to let anything happen to Sandy," Charles assured her, his voice steady and firm. "Don't worry. I've got people searching all over the country for a matching kidney for Sandy. She'll be okay."

But Charles's promise didn't ease Dahlia's anxiety. Even though she was fuming over his decision, she kept her feelings in check, not daring to show her anger in front of him. She swallowed her bitterness and forced out a shaky reply.

"Charles, I trust you," she said, looking lost and reliant on him.

Charles offered her a few more words of comfort and reminded her not to let Sandy know what was going on.

Sandy was only seven, but she understood more than most kids her age about life and death. Charles worried that knowing too much might cause her unnecessary stress and worsen her condition.

"Don't worry, I won't tell Sandy a thing," Dahlia promised.

As soon as the call ended, Dahlia wiped her tears and headed to Sandy's hospital room. Even if they found a matching kidney for Sandy, it wouldn't be as perfect as Adam's. Only Adam's kidney would truly shake Evelyn and cause her pain.

Charles might want to spare Evelyn's feelings, but Dahlia was dead set on making sure things didn't go his way. She was determined to get Adam's kidney.

Sandy had just finished her treatment and was in a fitful sleep, her face pale and fragile.

Dahlia entered the room and, without a hint of tenderness, shook Sandy awake. "Mommy," Sandy said weakly, blinking up at Dahlia with sleepy eyes.

After Wesley had exposed her for mistreating Sandy to Charles, Dahlia had pinned, the blame on a teacher dodging the fallout. But now, she was too scared to lay a hand on Sandy, worried that another slip-up would get her caught again by Charles.

Once might have been a lucky escape, but twice? Even Dahlia doubted she could talk her way out of it again. Sandy, thinking her mothe had turned over a new leaf, was now more attached and eager to please her.

"Sandy, do you want to make Mommy happy?" Dahlia asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she stroked Sandy's cheek.

Sandy leaned into her hand like a little kitten, her voice soft and eager, "Yes! I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, Mommy, as long as you love me a little more."

Deep down, she wished her mom loved her like Ms. Evelyn loved Charlie. Sandy was secretly envious of Charlie and couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

"You're such a good girl, Sandy. Listen to Mommy..." Dahlia's voice was gentle, but her intentions were anything but. She was willing to do whatever it took to get what she wanted, regardless of how it might affect Sandy.

Sandy always did as Dahlia said. She nodded, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Mommy. I'm not afraid."noveldrama

...

Later that night, just as Charles was about to hit the sack, his phone buzzed.

He picked up, and Dahlia's frantic voice came through, "Charles, get to the hospital quick... Sandy's in critical condition..."