The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 504

Charles paused for a moment before turning away. Sandy's eyes were puffy from all the crying, and she looked at Charles with a face that could melt anyone's heart-except his. Instead of the softness she longed for, she faced a wall of ice, his eyes piercingly cold and full of warning.

"For the last time, stop calling me Dad, do you hear?"

Sandy had only seen Charles give that look to Ms. Evelyn and Charlie. Never in a million years did she think she'd be on the receiving end of it. Her small frame shook like a leaf caught in a storm. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She wanted to call out to him, to be the little girl who could wrap him around her finger. But under that frosty glare, words failed her.

She could only stand there, helpless, as Charles turned and walked away. His footsteps echoed down the stairs and faded into the distance, leaving her trembling even more. Was he really casting her aside, just like that? The thought hit her like a ton of bricks, and she shook her head furiously, like a child's toy drum.

No! Her dad couldn't leave her! She couldn't lose him!

"Dad!" she cried, springing out of bed, not bothering with shoes or clothes, and dashed out of the room. By the time she reached the door, Charles was already through the gate, getting into his car. The engine roared to life, ready to whisk him away.

But deep down, she knew-this time, her dad

a life of luxury, couldn't fulfill her every whim, as long as he was her

the winter night. Her thin pajamas offered no protection against the chill, and she shivered hard. But there was no

leave

voice carrying over the frosty air. She had lived a pampered life, always under Charles's protective wing. But now, her tender

the neighborhood, Charles wasn't driving

car desperately, her cries echoing through the night. "Dad, I

me, just this

give me one