The mere mention of Charlie''s death took Evelyn right back to that tragic day, and her eyes filled with tears. "Charles, from the start, Dahlia never wanted Charlie to make it."


    "She deliberately snatched the kidney that was meant for Charlie, leaving him without a donor during surgery. On the day he was critically ill, she even cut off the emergency call I made to you."


    If only Charles had gotten that call. Even though he wasn''t fond of Charlie back then, he wouldn''t have just let her die. Maybe he could have secured the kidney, giving Charlie a fighting chance. But Dahlia cut off Charlie''s lifeline.


    When Evelyn brought up the call, Charles was stunned. He mumbled, "Eve, I never got your call."


    As he said it, realization hit him—Dahlia had erased the call log. He remembered that day. On his way to meet someone, Dahlia called, saying Sandy was in the hospital with kidney failure. Dahlia''s panicked voice made him fear the worst.


    Torn between a day at the amusement park with Charlie and a potentially critical Sandy, he chose thetter. But at the hospital, Sandy wasn''t in grave danger. Dahlia said she''d overreacted from concern and told him to go back to Charlie. He thought she was being thoughtful.


    Seeing Sandy was okay, he nned to return to Charlie. But Sandy, teary-eyed, begged him to stay, saying she was scared without him. Seeing her like that, he gave in. Back then, his loyalty leaned more towards Dahlia and her daughter.


    He figured there would be plenty of time for Charlie once Sandy was better. So he didn''t go back. At that time, still misunderstanding Eve, he didn''t want more contact, thinking she''d just take Charlie home if he didn''t show.


    He didn''t know Charlie had lied to Eve, saying he was with her, just to get time alone with him. And Charlie, so innocent, waited because he''d promised.


    So, Dahlia had called him on purpose, knowing Charlie was without a donor, hoping he''d intervene. But she took the kidney and cut off Eve''s cries for help, letting Charlie die on the operating table.


    If this was really how Charlie died, then his trust in Dahlia over the past two years had been a terrible mistake for Eve and Charlie. He had unknowingly protected the one responsible for Charlie''s death.


    Charles dropped to his knees, feeling as if his blood had turned to ice. Overwhelmed with guilt, he looked at Evelyn, his lips trembling. He wanted to say he didn''t know. If he''d known Dahfia''s true intentions, even if he hadn''t known yet that she wasn''t Debbie, he wouldn''t have defended her.


    But Charles realized he''d had chances to learn the truth. His distrust of Eve had robbed her of the opportunity to tell him, or maybe made her unwilling to try anymore.


    Evelyn saw what Charles was trying to say, and her eyes filled with tears. She mourned for Charlie, as if it were the day of his death all over again.


    "Charles, I''ve told you so many times. If you''d listened even once, my Charlie might not still be restless."


    With those words, tears overflowed. For over two years, she hadn''t had a peaceful night. Knowing Charlie''s death was unavenged, that he couldn''t rest in peace, kept her awake.


    This was all on Charles. Her words stabbed at his heart. Seeing Evelyn cry made his own heart ache.


    "Eve, please don''t cry. It''s my fault—I let you and Charlie down. I was too


    stubborn to listen, to believe. Please, stop crying."


    He staggered to his feet, wanting tofort Evelyn. But someone else''s arms reached her first, pulling her into aforting embrace.


    It was Brooks


    who hade to


    have breakfast with Evelyn. He''d


    arrived before the truth about


    Charlie''s kidney was out but ha


    stayed hidden. He had nned to show himself after their


    conversation, but when Charles moved to hold Evelyn, Brooks quickly stepped in, making his presence known.


    With one arm around Evelyn and the other gently holding her head, hedet her cry against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. Brooks


    showed no irritation, only


    tenderness.


    Charles''s hand hung in the air, forming a fist. He watched as Evelyn leaned into


    Brooks without hesitation. Slowly, his hands dropped to his sides.