The Day Our Promise Breaks

No response.

Brooks wasted no time dialing 911, giving them the address with urgency in his voice. As soon as he hung up, he was on his knees beside Evelyn, starting CPR without hesitation. Normally, Brooks was the picture of calm, but when he couldn't find a pulse on her neck or wrist, his composure cracked. His eyes filled with tears as he called out, "Evelyn!"

Still, nothing.

He didn't let fear paralyze him. He cleared her airway, ensuring nothing was blocking her breathing, and started the cycle of rescue breaths and chest compressions. "Evelyn! Come on, wake up! You can't leave me, do you hear?"

But Evelyn didn't stir.

Brooks's eyes turned redder, his exhaustion evident, but he refused to stop. He kept at it, tirelessly, until finally, the ambulance arrived and took over, whisking her away to the hospital.

...

In the hospital, Evelyn was still out cold when she was brought out of the ER. Brooks watched over her, his heart aching as tears slipped silently down her cheeks even while she was unconscious. Tenderly, he wiped them away.

That was when Evelyn's eyes fluttered open. She stared at the ceiling, the sharp scent of antiseptic in the air, and realized she was alive-Brooks had saved her.

"Why did you do something so reckless?" Brooks asked softly, his hand still gently brushing her hair.

Evelyn stayed silent, tears flowing quietly. She was simply too drained, too worn

out.

"Are you really going to let the person who caused Charlie's death walk free?" Brooks's words jolted her, making her turn to look at him.

In that moment, Brooks knew his hunch was spot on. "I'm sorry," he began, "I looked into your past last night.'

Their paths had crossed again for a reason. Brooks hadn't planned on digging into Evelyn's life, respecting her privacy until last night's events forced his hand.

She had tried to end her life.

Brooks knew that Evelyn's bond with Rosa, no matter how strong, wouldn't push her to such despair over her passing alone. Once she was stable, seeing her ghostly face in the hospital bed had driven him to seek answers.

It wasn't difficult to find out what had happened. In no time, he had discovered that a few months back, her daughter, Charlie, had passed away from kidney failure. The records didn't indicate foul play, but Brooks had sensed there was more to it.

He recalled how Evelyn had stood drenched outside a banquet, asking for his help in the rain. They'd gone to see someone that night, only to find them in a pool of blood. She had demanded to know the truth from the dying person, who had. whispered for her to come inside. After that, she vanished.

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When he found her again, she was at Greenrose's entrance. His investigation revealed Dahlia lived there. Evelyn's demeanor towards Dahlia had sparked his suspicion, though he couldn't be certain, But now, seeing her reaction, Brooks knew he was right.

"What can I do?" Evelyn's voice was barely above a whisper. She didn't fault Brooks for investigating; it was as if she was asking herself too. If there, e had been any other way, she wouldn't have reached such a bleak point. Despair had clouded her judgment.

"As long as there's life, there's hope," Brooks said gently but firmly.

Evelyn didn't respond.

"Evelyn, you're not alone anymore. You've got me," Brooks assured her.

She paused, then shook her head slightly. She didn't want Brooks entangled innoveldrama

her problems. From the start, she'd been determined not to drag him in or become a burden.

"Evelyn, I lied about why I agreed to that blind date. It wasn't just for the sake of it -I did it because I like you."