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."

a whimpering cry. "I'm not making a fuss.

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

got wet from bathing Sandy, Dahlia quickly walked to the bed

an angle that Charles could clearly see everything from his position. She was curvaceous and perfectly shaped. Her figure could drive

have all her attention

daughter,, "Be a good girl, Sandy. Stop crying, okay? The doctor just

in asking Charles to stay. Her small hands clutched Charles' sleeve. She shook it and pleaded pitifully, "Daddy, please?" For the first time, Charles, who usually

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

she had been abandoned.

intermittently,

condition had just stabilized, and she needed to rest well. Getting too worked up was not good

the end, Charles nodded,

...

a call from Dahlia early in

didn't refuse and arrived