The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 547

Evelyn watched Charles coldly, her eyes indifferent to his pain and despair.

Standing before the eternal flame lit for Charlie in St. Mary's Chapel, she never brought up how Charles had once mistreated Charlie.

Those wounds could certainly cut deep into Charles now, but they would also tear open Charlie's scars.

If Charlie's spirit was watching from above, Evelyn didn't want her to be hurt again.

With a final look at Charles, Evelyn pressed her hands together in a silent prayer, nodded farewell to the priest, and left the chapel with Brooks, leaving Charles alone, kneeling beneath the stubbornly unlit memorial candle.

[Why? Tell me, why? Charles, isn't it obvious? Charlie hated you. That's why she won't accept the candle you lit for her, why she refuses to forgive you!]

Evelyn's words echoed relentlessly in his mind.

Before long, two dark patches bloomed on the marble floor beneath Charles' knees.

After a long time, Charles finally looked up.

His eyes were swollen and red as he gazed at the eternal flame. He reached out

a trembling hand and gently caressed the glass, his voice hoarse and tender. "Charlie, it's okay if you can't forgive Dad now. I'll keep trying, I'll do anything for your forgiveness."

But Charlie was gone.

No matter how hard he tried to make amends, it was too late.

There was so little he could do.

But he could still try with Eve.

He could put everything he had into winning Eve back, proving his sincerity, making her happy.

Charlie had adored Eve. Maybe, if she saw his efforts, Charlie would forgive him too.

Maybe she would want to come back, to be their daughter once more.

For the first time in a long while, Charles felt a sliver of hope.

He stood up, his movements heavy and stiff, and walked out of the chapel, one step at a time.

...

Ever since returning from St. Mary's, Charles appeared outside Evelyn's apartment every morning, right on time.

He always held her favorite bouquet-white lilies and blush peonies-waiting for her to come down.

spared

again, sometimes bringing unfinished work. He'd wait

in the lobby, often staying until the early hours of the

wanted a chance. A chance for Evelyn to

once.

like this for a whole

Finally, Evelyn responded.

Eve: [Time, place.]

in the middle of a meeting when the message

Evelyn's name, his

him from her

immediately paused the meeting, asked Aiden to take over, and stepped out to call Evelyn

once before she declined

me

later, another message

try calling again. He y

and the time,

this okay for

was concise:

I pick

MS

need. I'll drive myself after

didn't dare insist the way he

bet

her:

to meet him-that was all that mattered. He had to seize this chance

Seven o'clock. I'll wait for you

Evelyn didn't respond again.

the restaurant manager

Aiden to drive him over early so he

in place, Charles returned home, showered, and then spent nearly an hour

like a nervous schoolboy on his first date, trying on suit after

packed,

wasn't running out, Charles might

at the closet door, unable to

even looked up

Jenkins could make anything look good. Every

might be hopelessly blind where his feelings were concerned, but Charles Jenkins' face and build were

not just the flattery of an assistant for

Charles only glanced at him, full of disdain for his