The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 546

When Charles tried to stand up,

his legs buckled beneath him. He'd been kneeling for so long that pain shot through his body the moment he moved, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.

His tall, broad-shouldered frame swayed unsteadily. He reached out just in time, bracing himself against the doorframe to keep from collapsing onto the polished church floor.

It took several moments for Charles to catch his breath and muster the strength to stand upright, teeth gritted against the throbbing ache in his knees.

Step by step, he forced himself forward, making his way deeper into the chapel.

He was led to the priest, and with a voice full of earnest sincerity, Charles said, "Father, I'd like to light a perpetual candle for my daughter, Charlie."

At the mention of Charlie's name, the priest gave Charles a curious look. "You're also Charlie's father?"

That word-also-made Charles freeze.

He was Charlie's only father. What did the priest mean, also?

The question soured something deep inside him. His voice dropped, sharp with irritation. "What do you mean by that?"

Just then, Brooks and Evelyn emerged from the back of the church, standing together in the soft glow of stained glass.

Charlie as well,

said, folding his hands in front of his

the slight still stung. Charlie only ever had

side, but

heart, Charles followed the priest to the altar to light a perpetual

there, hands clasped, his heart full of silent prayers.

tears, the way she'd wrapped herself around his heart-flooded his thoughts, each one sharper than the

...

finished lighting their own candle for Charlie, knelt a few pews away from

this moment, all old grudges and resentments faded away. They

wish: that Charlie

priest finished his prayer and

candle refused

hesitated, surprised. He tried again, striking the match and holding the flame to the

glanced at the stubborn candle, then turned to Charles,

Jenkins," he said quietly, "I'm afraid

voice trembling as he demanded, "What do you mean, you can't? Why won't the

the church. "Charlie can't forgive you, Charles. She doesn't want your candle. She can't accept it—not

no satisfaction, only a deep, aching sorrow for Charlie. Charlie had loved Charles so fiercely-how disappointed must she have been, on the day she died, to carry that

struck. The idea that Charlie

him