The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn)

Patrick tossed the paternity test report at Charles, who just stood there, not even trying to catch it. The report grazed his chiseled face, leaving a long red streak on his chin. It spun a few times in the air before landing at Charles' feet. There it lay, a flimsy piece of paper. Bold black letters screamed: DNA TEST REPORT. A red stamp on the result boldly declared: NOT A BIOLOGICAL MATCH.

Charles didn't bother picking it up or even glancing down. His eyes were locked on Evelyn's face, filled with an emotion too intense and complex to decipher.

Evelyn was at a loss. What did Charles' reaction mean? Was he furious at being duped by the woman he loved, tricked into raising another man's child as his own, and cherishing her like she was his own flesh and blood? Or was there something else behind those eyes? They stood there, their gazes locked.

Patrick, noticing Charles' lack of response, threw a cold glance at Dahlia. She had really pushed the limits. She'd humiliated the Jenkins family by cheating on Charles and then had the nerve to pass off another man's child as his, making him play the fool and raise someone else's daughter. Even after such a betrayal, she had the nerve to look at Charles with those pitiful eyes.

Rage boiled in Patrick's chest, and he couldn't stand to look at this manipulative woman any longer. His eyes then fell on Sandy, still kneeling before the Jenkins family.

The moment he discovered Sandy wasn't Charles' child, any slight tolerance he had for Dahlia and her daughter turned to disgust. Overcome with anger, he stormed over to Sandy. He yanked her to her feet with a firm grip, snapping, "Get up!"

She's just a child without an

unknown father. She had no right to kneel before the Jenkins ancestors. It was an affront to their legacy. For over a century, the Jenkins family had avoided such scandals. If news of this got out, their reputation in the Capital would be tarnished.

The thought only fueled Patrick's fury. His grip on Sandy's arm was rough like a vise, as if he intended to break it.

"Grandpa, it hurts..." Sandy whimpered, tears streaming down her face, mixing with fear.

"Sandy..." Dahlia rushed to Sandy,

anguish etched on her face, and exchanged a quick, knowing look with her daughter. Sandy

immediately caught on, and he eyes welled up as she turned to Charles. "Daddy, I'm in pain..."

That plea always tugged at Charles' heartstrings. Sandy's cries were gut-wrenching, and sure enough,

Charles' expression shifte

He looked pained for Sandy, speaking out to Patrick with, disapproval, "Dad! You're hurting

Sandy, let go!"

After saying this, he moved to shield Sandy. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She watched Charles' instinctive reaction, and her mind went blank for a second. She couldn't believe what was unfolding before her eyes. "Charles!" Evelyn, almost on autopilot, stepped in front of him, shoving him back. Charles, tall and solid, barely budged, but it was enough to stop him in his tracks.

What was he doing? Sandy wasn't his biological daughter, so why was he still so protective and caring toward her?noveldrama