Shattered Promises
1219 Words
It was Monday morning. Evelyn dressed up for work as usual, but the moment she arrived at the company, she noticed something strange. Everyone was staring at her — not with their usual smiles but with pity and discomfort. The air felt heavy, whispers trailed behind her as she walked past.
She greeted a few colleagues, but no one responded. They just looked away or forced awkward smiles. Her chest tightened. What’s going on? she thought. Trying to stay calm, she walked straight to her office.
The moment she opened the door, her breath hitched. A white envelope sat neatly on her table. She frowned, walked closer, and picked it up. The moment her eyes caught the bold words — “Termination of Employment” — her knees almost gave way.
She stood frozen, her mind racing. “No, this must be a mistake…” she whispered, her voice trembling. Just then, Emma, one of her coworkers, entered. Without saying a word, Emma pulled her into a hug, tears rolling down her cheeks.
> “I warned you, Evelyn,” she whispered softly. “You shouldn’t have gotten too close to him.”
Evelyn pulled away, stunned. “What do you mean?”
But Emma said nothing more and quickly walked out.
Confused and panicking, Evelyn stormed out of her office and went straight to Donald’s. She knocked once and entered, holding the letter tightly.
“Good morning, sir,” she said, her voice shaking. “I found this on my table. Can you please tell me what’s going on?”
Donald looked up from his desk. His usual confident expression was gone — replaced with guilt. He couldn’t even meet her eyes. He quietly opened a drawer, pulled out a cheque, and pushed it across the table toward her.
> “Emily’s family and mine are very close,” he began slowly. “Our parents already arranged our marriage a long time ago. I never loved her, but… if I refuse, my dad won’t let me take over this company. My mom swore to disown me if I disobeyed.”
Evelyn just stared at him, confused and heartbroken.
> “Evelyn,” he continued, voice heavy, “I like you… more than you think. But I don’t know what to do. Please, take this cheque. It’s three thousand dollars. Use it to start something new. And please, don’t tell Olivia about this. I’ll still keep in touch.”
Evelyn blinked back her tears. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart. Without saying a word, she placed the letter on his desk, took the cheque with shaking hands, and quietly walked out.
The moment she stepped outside, the world around her felt blurry. Her legs carried her aimlessly until she found herself standing in front of a bar. She hesitated, then went in.
The place smelled of alcohol and cigarette smoke. She sat at a corner table and ordered a bottle. One turned into two and two into four. Soon, her makeup was smeared with tears, and her voice cracked as she mumbled to herself.
> “Why does everything I touch fall apart? Why me?”
A man sitting a few tables away noticed her. He looked to be in his early forties, with kind eyes. Slowly, he approached her.
“Hey,” he said gently. “My name’s Richard. Are you okay?”
Evelyn looked up, her eyes red. “Do I look okay to you?” she snapped, tears streaming down.
Richard sighed softly and sat beside her. “You don’t need to talk. I’ll just make sure you get home safe.”
He paid for her drinks and helped her into his car. She could barely stand, her body limp. When they arrived at his house, she was already half-asleep. Richard carried her carefully to the guest room, laid her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket.
As she drifted into unconsciousness, she kept murmuring one name over and over.
> “Donald… Donald…”
---
The next morning, Evelyn woke up with a splitting headache. The unfamiliar room made her panic instantly.
“Where am I?!” she gasped. She jumped from the bed, scanning the room in fear.
Just then, Richard walked in with a glass of water.
“Good morning,” he said calmly. “You’re safe. You were drunk, and I couldn’t leave you out there alone.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Wait—what? Where’s my dress? What did you do to me?”
“Nothing!” Richard said quickly, holding up his hands. “You passed out. I just helped you.”
But Evelyn wasn’t convinced. “You’re lying! No wonder you live alone—men like you disgust me!” she shouted angrily.
Richard tried to speak, but before he could explain, his hand flew to his chest. He groaned in pain and stumbled backwards, blood dripping from his mouth.
“Sir!” Evelyn screamed, running to his side.
Within seconds, he collapsed on the floor, unconscious. Her anger vanished, replaced by sheer panic. “Oh my God! Please, somebody help!” she cried.
She grabbed her phone and dialled 911 with trembling fingers.
At the hospital, the doctor came out after a few tense minutes. “He’s lost a lot of blood. We need a transfusion immediately, but his blood type isn’t available anywhere nearby.”
Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears. “Please, check mine. Just check!”
The nurse tested her quickly and returned moments later. “It’s a match.”
Without hesitation, Evelyn agreed. The transfusion began, and after what felt like hours, Richard’s breathing steadied.
“You saved his life,” the doctor said kindly.
Evelyn smiled weakly, feeling dizzy. “Thank you… Can I go now?”
The doctor nodded but warned her to rest and take her medications.
---
By evening, she arrived home, exhausted. Olivia, her parents, and the maids were waiting in the living room, all looking worried.
“Oh my God! Evelyn, where have you been?” Olivia’s mom cried, rushing to hug her.
Evelyn explained everything from start to finish. Everyone listened in silence, their faces filled with shock.
Olivia’s mom called one of the maids. “Ava, bring some fruits and prepare something rich in iron for Evelyn.”
As she walked away, Olivia crossed her arms, glaring coldly.
“I warned you not to get involved with Donald,” she said sharply. “Now look where it’s gotten you.”
Evelyn didn’t reply. She just sat quietly, eating the fruits placed before her.
When everyone left, she remained in the silent dining room, staring blankly at her plate. The ticking of the wall clock echoed through the emptiness.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered to herself, “How did everything fall apart so fast?”
Her mind replayed Donald’s confession, Emily’s jealousy, and Richard’s blood-stained shirt. She buried her face in her hands, trembling.
But deep within her, something shifted — a spark of strength she didn’t know she had.
“This isn’t the end,” she whispered. “Not yet.”
Little did she know, fate was already weaving the next chapter — one that would test her courage, shake her heart, and lead her toward an unexpected truth.
- Writer
