The Day Our Promise Breaks

Katy picked up the medicine, shielding the herbal concoction with her umbrella as she hurried home.

She made her way back to the old neighborhood, threading through narrow alleys, and slipped into a weathered, cramped apartment.

The space was barely a hundred square feet, divided in half by a faded curtain. Katy tiptoed behind the curtain.

Yara lay on a narrow, child-sized bed, her face ghostly pale, still unconscious. Katy crept closer and carefully felt for her mother's breath.

Relieved to find Yara was still alive, Katy clumsily wiped the rainwater from her cheeks and set about preparing the medicine.

Her movements were practiced-she'd clearly done this many times before.

Yara, awakened by the sounds, slowly opened her eyes. She saw Katy's small back facing her, tending the old saucepan over the stove, fanning the flames. Katy was five, but looked even younger, painfully thin for her age.

Yara's eyes filled with tears.

She had once believed she could give Katy a good life, protect her from harm.

But she hadn't expected Blake to blacklist her.

What little savings she had left vanished faster than she'd imagined—especially when she fell ill so suddenly.

"Mommy, you're awake!"

Katy noticed Yara stirring and dashed to her bedside, her tiny hand checking Yara's forehead. "How do you feel, Mommy? I'm making your medicine-once you drink it, you'll feel better."

"Katy, where did you get the money?"

Yara hadn't been able to work as a designer since she got sick. Just as she'd planned to pick up some odd jobs, she started coughing blood.

All their money had gone to doctor visits. There was nothing left.

"A nice man lent me a hundred dollars," Katy said proudly. "He and I agreed I'll pay him back tomorrow. Mommy, will you come with me?"

"Of course," Yara replied gently, planting a shaky kiss on her daughter's cheek. Her eyes stung with guilt.

"Oh, Mommy, the medicine's ready! I'll give you a big hug later, okay?"

Katy kissed her mother's cheek in return, then hurried back to the bubbling saucepan.

"Careful, honey—it's hot," Yara warned, trying to sit up, but her limbs were too weak.

I.ne

novel.n

"Got it!" Katy answered brightly. She put on her oven mitts, carefully. poured the medicine into a bowl, then brought it over to the little table by the bed.

Standing beside her mother, Katy

blew on the steaming bowl, then et

lifted a spoonful to Yara's lips. "Drink up, Mommy. If you finish it all, I'll give you the biggest kiss ever."

"Alright." Yara's eyes softened. The medicine was bitter, but somehow tasted sweet.

The Robinson Family

Mrs. Robinson, Wiona, finished instructing the kitchen to prepare a few of

Lauren's favorite dishes, then settled onto the couch.

She called Brooks again, making sure he'd be home for dinner, and only then hung up, satisfied.

Lauren was so accomplished, and so devoted to Brooks.

Before, she'd been abroad, and

hadn't 't had the chance to spend time -no wonder he hadn't

with

noticed how remarkable she was.

All she needed to do was create more opportunities for them to interact, and

Brooks was sure to see Lauren's worth.

While she waited, Wiona went upstairs to fetch the gift she'd picked out for Lauren.

It was a piece by a rising designer, Sunny E.—someone Wiona had recently discovered and truly admired.

In her youth, Wiona had been a renowned editor-in-chief in the fashion world, with impeccable taste.

Only a handful of designers had ever won her genuine approval-Taylor in the early days was one.

Now, Taylor was a fashion legend, sought after by every high-society family.

In Sunny E., Wiona saw the same spark, perhaps even more promise than Taylor once had.

Through her connections, she'd managed to secure a jewelry set from Sunny E.— no easy feat.noveldrama

Sunny E. had gained notoriety after Zayden wore her designs for his birthday, quickly becoming a darling among the socialites.

By gifting this jewelry to Lauren in Brooks' name, Wiona was sure Lauren would be delighted.

Gracefully, Wiona descended the stairs, gift box in hand.

She made a mental note to meet Sunny E. in person, to see if she could recruit

her for the Robinson Group's jewelry division.

If Sunny E. became the next Taylor, Robinson Group would rise to even greater heights.

Lost in her thoughts, Wiona reached the bottom of the stairs-only to see Lauren had already arrived.

She was about to call out when Brooks walked in, holding Evelyn's hand.

At the sight of Evelyn, the warmth in Wiona's eyes-meant for Lauren-vanished

in an instant.

What is she doing here?!