The Day Our Promise Breaks

"No, I got held up with something."

Charles responded in a subdued voice, carrying Sandy into the house.

Under the bright lights, Dahlia, whose attention had been fixed on Charles, noticed his lower lip was cut. It looked like someone had bitten it. Dahlia's smile froze for a moment.

Was Evelyn the "something" that held Charles up? Was she using her charms to keep him by her side?

...

Eight-thirty was Sandy's bedtime every night. After bathing her, Dahlia carried her to bed.

Charles picked up a bedtime storybook and sat by the bed, ready to lull her to sleep.

Sandy snuggled into his embrace, hugged his neck, and cooed softly, "Daddy, please don't go tonight. Stay and sleep with me and Mommy, okay?"

Dahlia had just finished tidying up the bathroom and stepped out. She frowned upon hearing this and scolded her daughter, "Sandy, don't make a fuss."

watched Dahlia with a whimpering cry. "I'm not making a fuss. I just want to sleep with you

sobbed, "Other kids can sleep with their Mommy and Daddy,

pang of heartache. Wearing the clothes that got wet from bathing

Charles could clearly see everything from his position. She was curvaceous and

have all her attention drawn to

to comfort her distraught daughter,, "Be a good girl, Sandy. Stop crying, okay? The doctor just told you yesterday

She shook her little head like a rattle drum and persisted in asking Charles to stay. Her small hands clutched Charles' sleeve.

embrace and forced a smile at Charles. "Charles, don't mind her. She'll stop crying soon. It's getting late. You should head back and rest."

she had been abandoned. She cried softly, "Daddy, just for one night, please? I am

intermittently,

she needed to rest well.

the end, Charles nodded,

...

Dahlia early in the

refuse and arrived as