The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 204

Charles watched the video, his eyes fixed on Charlie's tear-streaked face. She had just gotten over a fever and was still looking pale and weak, leaning into Evelyn's arms while crying her heart out. She insisted it wasn't her who pushed Sandy but that Sandy had pushed her, leading to her fall into the pool. Charles watched Charlie in such a state and found it hard to doubt her and accuse her of lying.

But did Sandy push Charlie? That seemed impossible! Sandy adored Charlie. She was the one who had eagerly asked to meet Charlie and even brought it up to him herself. "Daddy," she had said, "I just came back and don't have any friends. Mom told me I have a sister named Charlie, and I want to be best friends with her. Is that okay?" She had puffed out her little chest like a grown-up and promised, "Daddy, don't worry, I'll take good care of Charlie. I'll share all my new clothes and Barbie dolls with her." She was so excited and so eager to be friends with Charlie-how could she have pushed her?

Just then, Charles' phone rang. It was Sandy. He paused the video and answered, "Sandy."

"Daddy, don't forget to pick me up today, okay?" she reminded him.

Hearing Sandy's little reminder, Charles recalled her call from last night, asking if he could pick her up from school. He felt a pang of guilt about the whole situation with Sandy. He heard her cautious voice and immediately promised to pick her up.

"I haven't forgotten. I will be there," he assured her softly.

could also ask Sandy about

up, a wide smile spreading across her face. Her daddy was really coming to pick her up.

...

Charles arrived at the preschool, he was five minutes late but just in time for

Dahlia called out as

asked, concern lacing her voice. "She hasn't woken

worry, grandma will

her thoughts were far from kind. 'That old woman,' she thought bitterly, 'it'd be better

murmured, glancing at Dahlia's tired face but not withdrawing

her tiptoes in the lineup, scanned the crowd eagerly. When she finally spotted Charles, her face lit up

and excitedly, Sandy