Chapter 24

As Evangeline groaned and turned in her sleep, the haunting memories of her childhood flooded her dreams like a relentless tide.

She found herself standing in the dimly lit hallway of their family home, her younger self clutching onto her siblings as they begged their father not to leave.

"Daddy, please don't go," her voice pleaded, thick with tears as she looked up at the man she once idolized. "We need you here with us."

But her father's face remained stoic, his eyes betraying the pain of his own inner turmoil as he tried to justify his actions.

"I'm sorry, kids," he muttered, his voice strained with emotion. "I have to do what's best for me."

Evangeline's heart shattered at his words, the betrayal cutting deeper than any knife could. Beside her, her brother, Jeremy sobbed uncontrollably, their cries blending with the sound of their mother's broken wails from the adjacent room.

"Mama, please don't cry," Evangeline whispered, her voice trembling as she approached her mother's bedsid