Agreed! It's not your fault, wanting to care for your plant is what plant owners are supposed to do/feel. (And you were following instructions, though faulty.) When too much moisture stays in a pot, the roots can rot. If you can get plants in a mix that doesn't hold excess moisture, you can give them water without worrying about rotting roots. A hole in the bottom of a pot is not enough, the soil structure determines moisture level - and drying speed. I believe this type of Pep is an epiphyte. Reading a bit about how these grow in nature can be very helpful in understanding how to help them survive in a pot.

Carica papaya

Looks like a papaya ....

Forgot to mention, the leaves of this plant has sharp tiny teeths along the edges.