The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Sandy didn't mean to; she just really wished Daddy could be with her."

"Mommy already told Sandy not to go out in the wind. But Sandy just wanted to see if Daddy was coming, so she sneaked out to the balcony to wait for him..."

"I'm sorry, Daddy. Sandy knows you're busy and can't always be here. Sandy also knows you might not come, but..."

Sandy's words tumbled out so fast she was nearly out of breath. Charles's heart ached, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He couldn't bring himself to utter a single word of reproach.

"It's Daddy's fault. Daddy shouldn't have left the hospital and not stayed with Sandy. From today on, Daddy will try to be with Sandy at the hospital as much as possible, okay?"

"No need, Daddy. Sandy knows you're busy. Just remember to spend time with Sandy whenever you can."

Compared to when she was five and always needed Charles by her side, Sandy was becoming much more mature.

"Alright, sweetheart, Daddy understands. Be good, close your eyes, and get some rest. Leave everything else to Daddy."

"I trust you, Daddy. You're Sandy's superhero, and you won't let anything happen to Sandy, right?"

Sandy gazed at Charles with eyes full of admiration-clear and innocent, brimming with trust.

"Right."

Charles didn't let Sandy down, giving her a reassuring nod. Exhausted by her own emotions, Sandy finally drifted off to a deep sleep.

Dahlia held Sandy's hand, her eyes cast downward, masking her anxious thoughts. She was certain Charles would have to pressure Adam to agree to donate a kidney to Sandy. But to her surprise, Charles still hadn't approached Adam.noveldrama

A day passed, and though many came to the hospital for matching tests, none were suitable. The second day was no different. Dahlia began to feel a sense of panic creeping in. She had bankedon Charles choosing Sandy's life over Evelyn's suffering. Surely he couldn't just stand by and watch Sandy slip away.

In Charles's heart, Sandy's life had to mean more than Evelyn's. Yet this was not

the outcome she expected. She couldn't wait any longer.

...

The past two days had been exhausting for Charles as he tirelessly searched for a matching kidney for Sandy. He had reached out to everyone he knew, but still, no match was found. As each day passed and Sandy grew weaker, the weight on Charles's heartgrew heavier.

On the third morning, Charles arrived at the hospital with some of Sandy's favorite gifts. Sandy was trying to eat breakfast, but her lack of appetite got the better of her, and she ended up throwing it up. Seeing Charles, she cried in discomfort.

"Daddy..."

Charles hurried over, asked

someone to bring a fresh breakfast,

and gently wiped the porridge from Sandy's mouth with a wet wipe.

Once she was cleaned up, he

noticed Dahlia was missing from the room, leaving only a nurse to look after Sandy. With Dahlia's disability, she couldn't do everything herself, but she had never left the hospital.

"Sandy, where's Mommy?"

Charles asked, trying to sound casual.

Sandy pressed her lips together, staying silent. Her expression made Charles's

face turn more serious. Sandy wasn't good at fibbing, and this clearly put her in a bind. She didn't want to lie to him.

"Sandy, tell Daddy, where did Mommy go?"

Charles looked at Sandy intently.

Finally, following Dahlia's instructions, Sandy said reluctantly, "Mommy... Mommy went to see Ms. Evelyn."

Before Sandy even finished, Charles's expression shifted.