The Day Our Promise Breaks

In the past, she'd heard whispers about others in her line of work doing similar things. All hush-hush, under the radar. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of temptation. So, she went ahead with it.

She could've sent Josephine directly to the crematorium, but things didn't go as planned. A nurse unexpectedly came in for a routine check. Hearing the footsteps, she quickly reattached the oxygen. By then, Josephine was already unconscious. As soon as the oxygen was back on, she darted to the side, pretending to busy herself with other tasks. When the nurse noticed something was off with Josephine, she only acted panicked once the call button was pressed. Everything went off without a hitch. Josephine wasn't dead, but she was in a vegetative state, which was almost the same.

The aide was trembling with excitement at the thought of the fifty thousand dollars she was about to receive. [Josephine's not dead, but she's in a vegetative state. Dr. Nelson said Ms. Evelyn should brace herself; she won't last much longer.] When Dahlia got this message, a smug smile curled up on her lips. That wretched woman's mouth would stay shut for good. Without evidence, she'd always be Debbie. Dahlia didn't hold back with the money; she handed it over to the aide. She had the aide record how she unplugged the oxygen, creating evidence to keep the aide in check. With proof of her premeditated act, the aide was now in the same boat as her. Just to be safe.

The aide called her daughter to confirm she'd received the fifty thousand in cash, feeling over the moon. Her earlier fears and guilt were forgotten. She even thought, Evelyn was so stingy. The men around Evelyn seemed loaded and treated her well. A woman who used her charm to get by, living off men, surely wasn't short of cash. She lived in a neighborhood worth millions. The two men in her life were billionaires-imagine that. Yet, Evelyn was so rich and couldn't spare a bit more for her. Every time, it was just a couple of thousand at most. Really stingy. Had she been more generous, letting a bit slip through her fingers, the aide wouldn't have been tempted by the fifty grand that cost Evelyn's mother's life. It was Evelyn's stinginess, not her fault. Fifty thousand, who wouldn't be tempted? Having pocketed the cash, savoring the rush of easy money, the aide quickly justified her actions. It took her a moment to push down her glee. She composed herself, forcing some sadness into her expression as she looked at her phone. Once ready, she stepped out of the stairwell, heading to the hospital room.noveldrama

In the Hospital Room

Evelyn didn't stay out for long. Before too long, she opened her eyes. The moment she came to, Andrew's words echoed in her mind, and tears burst forth. Turning Ker head, she gazed through tear filled eyes at the bed beside her. Her mom lay there, still and quiet. The machines showed she was still alive. But unlike before, this time, she wouldn't wake up.

Charles had been by her side the whole time, his eyes filled with concern as Evelyn's tears flowed unchecked. He reached out to wipe her tears away. Before he could touch her, Evelyn raised her band to block him. She was still weak, but her refusal was clear. Charles' hand hovered awkwardly in the air.

As they stood there in silence, the door to the hospital room swung open. The aide came into Evelyn's view, Ms. Evelyn, you're awake? Are you alright?" The aide approached with a worried look on her face.

"Why did my mom, who was fine, suddenly go into shock?" Evelyn's gaze turned icy as she looked at the aide.

"Ms. Evelyn, what are you implying?" Despite having steeled herself, the aide was new to this kind of situation, and couldn't entirely hide her nerves.