The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 624

Charlie flinched, her little body shivering like a startled chick. She burrowed deeper into Luna's arms, clinging as if she could disappear inside the warmth.

She pressed herself tightly against Luna, soaking up the only sense of safety she knew.

Even with the DNA test in hand-proof that the tall man standing before her was her real father-Charlie's gaze toward Charles held not a hint of closeness. Only a thick, unyielding wariness, and a silent defiance that spoke volumes.

Luna, unruffled and steady, reached over to take the report from Charles's hand.

Her eyes traced the page slowly, pausing on the line that confirmed: "Paternity supported."

When she was sure, Luna crouched down gracefully, bringing herself eye-to-eye with the little girl nestled in her arms.

"Aurora, it's okay. Don't be scared."

Her voice was soft as down, one hand gently stroking Charlie's hair, the other wrapped firmly around her trembling frame. "See, sweetheart? That's your daddy. Your real daddy."

She put a gentle emphasis on "real," her eyes flicking to Charles, then back to Charlie, voice full of warmth. "He won't hurt you. He loves you, just like mommy does. Both of us love you more than anything, and we'll always keep you safe.”

Charles's heart twisted at the guarded look from his daughter. He swallowed down the ache and longing, and slowly lowered himself to a crouch, keeping what he hoped was a safe distance-just two steps, but it felt like endless miles.

He didn't dare move closer, afraid to startle this fragile little deer. All he could do was look at her, his eyes brimming with love too fierce to hide.

to feel the

hesitated, Luna's gentle but steady voice

by bit, her big, damp eyes peeked out, uncertain and wary, sneaking a look at Charles as if he were some strange, unpredictable creature. "Aurora." Luna caught the tiny shift, her voice even softer, a smile in her tone. "Say hi to Daddy, honey. He's your

gave Charlie's little

But...

"Daddy"

quick, frightened glance, lips pressed in a tight

gain, making

ét

a touch, half holding, half nudging Charlie forward in small,

her toward the man whose

Charles held his breath.

tunneled in on that tiny figure as Luna gently led

small steps, but to Charles it felt like an eternity-each second thick with hope and nerves, every

of him, close enough for him to catch the soft, sweet scent of childhood clinging

strung tight as a

daughter into his arms, to feel her warmth, to

of fear still in her eyes kept his arms frozen at his

that even the smallest gesture would

hope and unshed tears, silently