The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn)

She wouldn't let them badmouth her mom! Even if her mom could be a bit tough sometimes, Sandy loved her to bits. But alone against three rowdy kids, she didn't stand a chance. It wasn't long before Sandy was too exhausted to fight back and remained pinned down to the ground.

Despite their size, those kids packed a punch. As they rained blows on Sandy's face, tears streamed down her cheeks. One of the boys was a little tyrant at home and would lash out with a kick whenever he felt like it. After Sandy managed to land a kick on him, he retaliated without holding back, not caring where his kicks landed.

One particularly harsh kick hit her in the spleen, making her curl up in pain. Her hair was damp with cold sweat. The kids were too caught up in their frenzy to notice Sandy's distress until a teacher, alerted by the hubbub, rushed over. "Stop it right now!" The teacher was horrified.

As soon as the kids saw the teacher, they backed off. Only Sandy lay there, unable to move, clutching her aching stomach. Her hair was a mess, and her face looked bruised and battered. She leaned into the teacher, whispering, "Miss, it hurts so bad..."

The incident left the teacher shaken, and she quickly carried Sandy to the school nurse's office before calling Dahlia. Dahlia already ditched her disguise in a trash bin, and got back to her car. Noticing the teacher's call, she picked up immediately. When she heard Sandy had been hurt, she sounded tense and choked with worry. "What? Miss, is Sandy okay? I'm coming right over!"

While talking, she asked the teacher to let her speak to Sandy and comforted her with a soft. "Sandy, don't worry. Mommy's on her way!" After hanging up, Dahlia's face showed no hint of concern. The whole scene had played out just as she had planned.

Twenty minutes later, Dahlia, her hair now disheveled, stepped out of her car. Her expression had shifted entirely. She dashed to the school gate in her high heels, breathing heavily, and burst into the nurse's office. "Sandy!"

"Mommy..." Sandy looked up, her face pale and pitiful. Dahlia rushed over, wrapping her arms around Sandy, her eyes filling with tears. "What happened? How did Sandy end up like this?"

While the school nurse tended to Sandy's injuries, the teacher explained what had happened. Other parents hadn't arrived yet.

The nurse suggested, "Ms. Dahlia, I think it would be best to take Sandy to the hospital for an X-ray."

"Rest assured, the kindergarten will make sure you and Sandy get the answers you deserve. Please take her for a check-up to ease your mind."

"Okay!" Looking genuinely

concerned, Dahlia held Sandy close,noveldrama

making it clear she was her top

priority. "Miss, I'll take Sandy to the

hospital right away. We won't just let

this slide!"

After leaving the nurse's office and the school, Dahlia gently settled Sandy into the child safety seat in her car. "Don't worry, sweetie. Mommy's taking you to the hospital now."

She kissed Sandy's pale cheek before closing the door, sliding into the driver's seat, and heading toward the hospital.

"Mommy, my tummy really hurts..."

Sandy, in the child seat, was

drenched in cold sweat. When kids feel unwell, they naturally turn to their moms for comfort. Her eyes were pleading as she stared at Dahlia.

Finally noticing her gaze, Dahlia pulled over to the side of the road. "Mommy..." Sandy called softly as Dahlia turned to look at her. They

were alone in the car, so Dahliaet

face showed no sign of distress. Responding to Sandy's yearning eyes, she unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over, and gently stroked her head.