Chapter 510
Brooks lifted his gaze to meet Charles’s, their eyes locking in mid-air, sending sparks flying. Brooks’s lips curled into a slight smirk as he said, “Charles, what you’ve done to Eve and Charlie is beyond just a little mistake.”
“Do you even realize what Dahlia has put Charlie and Eve through under your watch?”
“Do you remember the date you threw that celebration for Sandy when she placed third at her sports event?”
Charles was momentarily at a loss. He remembered the event but had forgotten the date. Brooks sneered, “Let me remind you, it was December 22…”
Charles couldn’t fathom why Brooks was bringing up that day. He assumed Brooks wanted to dredge up memories for Evelyn, of times he’d favored Sandy over his own family. Confronting those years of unconditional indulgence towards Dahlia and her daughter was something he struggled with. Each action felt like a betrayal to Charlie and Eve. He couldn’t face it, nor could he bear thinking about it. So, he instinctively interrupted, “Brooks, why are you bringing up that day?!”
Evelyn, nestled in Brooks’s arms, suddenly looked up, her eyes red, and hoarsely screamed, “Why bring up that day?! That was the day we buried Charlie!”
Charles’s eyes widened in shock. That was the day Charlie was laid to rest? What had he done? A chill washed over him, and he staggered back, hitting the wall hard. Until then, he hadn’t considered the depth of it all. He never realized Dahlia had deliberately caused Charlie’s death. But now, with Brooks laying it all out, he recalled the details.
Sandy’s kindergarten sports event, Dahlia and her daughter’s harmonious performance at Greenrose, Sandy’s plea for a celebration, and Dahlia’s casual suggestion of Sunday, telling him not to spoil Sandy too much. On the celebration day, Dahlia’s call to Evelyn, inviting her to bring Charlie so he could see him, played back in his mind.
At the time, he didn’t believe Charlie was gone. He had missed him and longed to see him. But only Eve showed up, and she disrupted the celebration. Dahlia called the police, and he hadn’t stopped them, allowing Eve to suffer. That night, not finding Charlie’s ashes in the next room, he grew furious and hurt Eve.
Charles’s eyes reddened further, looking at Evelyn, his lips moving to apologize, but those words seemed so weak and powerless at this moment. Brooks held Evelyn tighter and continued, “Do you know why, two years ago, Evelyn rushed into Dahlia’s house, wanting to kill her?”
Another question hit Charles. He remembered that day, too. Sandy had called him, saying Dahlia was bleeding heavily. He rushed over to find Dahlia injured. Because Eve had said Dahlia should die to atone, he thought Eve had attacked Dahlia. Later, Eve, covered in blood, stormed into Greenrose, intent on killing Dahlia. He had stopped her, fearing she’d actually commit murder, and had Dr. Nelson sedate her, taking her back to Oakwood Manor.
Now, hearing Brooks’s question and seeing Eve tremble, Charles knew the truth wasn’t as he had believed. He didn’t evade, asking in a hoarse voice, “Why?”
Brooks comfortingly patted Evelyn. These were things Charles needed to know. “That night, Dahlia secretly took black dog blood and charms meant to curse Charlie’s grave.”
Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears again, memories of that night flooding back—her despair and breakdown. Brooks sensed her emotions, gently soothing her. Under his warm, calming presence, Evelyn’s emotions steadied.
Brooks continued, “Dahlia wanted to curse Charlie for eternity. Eve tried her utmost to stop her, but Dahlia still poured the black dog blood over Charlie’s
tombstone. Eve spent the whole night trying to clean it off.”
Charles was drawn into the scene, his emotions surging, body trembling uncontrollably. He looked at Evelyn, knowing how much she loved Charlie, how she wanted him to have a better reincarnation. That night, while wiping away the black dog blood, she must have felt utter despair.
“Evelyn, why don’t you go check on the soup,” Brooks gently suggested, giving her a reason to leave. He didn’t want Evelyn to relive what
came next. Evelyn nodded softly, not
looking at Charles as she went
inside. Brooks closed the door in
front of Charles and continued, “And
about Dahlia’s leg, do you know why Evelyn pushed her?”
Charles was speechless. The weight of just these revelations was unbearable. His heart felt like it was being torn apart. He hurt for Charlie and even more for Eve.
“It was because Dahlia knew Evelyn suffered from severe depression, and she used Charlie’s ashes to threaten Evelyn into seeing her.”