The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 500

His mind was a whirlwind of his mother's words; his father had headed to the cemetery early that morning to be with Lila. He spent the whole day there. As the evening shadows lengthened, Charles still hadn't shown up. Sandy clenched her fists tightly. She was furious with Lila. Even in death, Lila was stealing her father away, making him spend Sandy's birthday at that cold, lifeless cemetery instead of with her.

"Lila!" she thought bitterly. Her mother had been right. Lila was nothing but trouble! Just like her mother, always stirring things up, trying to take Dad away! Sandy couldn't tell how long she waited, but eventually, she ran back to her room, tears streaming down her face.

At the Cemetery

It was Lila's memorial day. Josephine, Evelyn, Adam, and Brooks had all arrived bright and early. By the time they got there, Charles was already present. Although none of them wanted to see Charles, they chose not to cause a scene in front of Lila on this day.

a mountain of items. Several cars were needed to transport everything. After Evelyn had burned the offerings she prepared for Lila, they all sat down and spent a long time reminiscing with her. Due to Josephine's health

burning them one by one. He talked to her. The entire afternoon was spent tending to Lila's memory. Once he was done, Charles meticulously cleaned Lila's tombstone until it was spotless. Lila had always been such

how many times he had watched it. Each viewing deepened his regret. Upon realizing Eve was actually Debbie, he wished he could travel back seven years to knock some sense into his past

Debbie's love. She should have grown up showered with affection, the happiest little princess. But from the time Lila was in Eve's womb, she never received even a glance from him. After she

was wrong! Can you come back to me?" Charles whispered, gently caressing the cute little face etched on the tombstone. There was no answer. Charles Sat there, alone, in the cold winter night, keeping Lila company. His heart was torn apart once more. Until the video ended, tears streamed down his face. The love Lila had shown him in life now only added to his pain. Those memories were like boomerangs, striking

his phone from his pocket, realizing it was already past midnight. He had set it to

He had promised Sandy but ended up letting her down, leaving her waiting all day. Charles felt a pang of guilt. He

gift so she could see it first thing in the morning. Upon arriving at Maplewood, Charles parked outside the gate. He got out, careful not to alert the