The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 626

Charles didn't bring it up in front of Charlie.

Charlie clung to Luna, completely dependent on her. If Charles wanted to take Charlie away, he had to know where Luna stood first. He needed to talk to her, just the two of them.

"Ms. Cipoletti, I'd like to discuss Charlie with you-" Charles began, but didn't get to finish.

Charlie, sharp as ever, seemed to sense the shift in the air. She lifted her head from Luna's arms, her eyes wary and guarded as she stared at Charles. Then she turned to Luna, her voice trembling, "Mom..."

"Aurora, sweetheart, listen to me." Luna's voice was gentle as she stroked Charlie's hair. "I love you so much, but I'm not your biological mom. Now that your real parents have been found, you should go back to them..."

But Luna never finished. Charlie broke down, her voice raw, "No! I don't want to! I don't want to leave you!"

She glared at Charles, her rejection fierce. "You can't take me. I only want to be with Mom."

With that, she threw herself into Luna's arms, sobbing so hard her words were almost lost. "Mom, please, don't let me go. I don't want a dad, I don't want another mom. I just want you!"

"Aurora, please, listen..." Luna tried to soothe her, her arms wrapped tight around Charlie.

But Charlie wouldn't hear it. She shook her head furiously, tears streaming down her cheeks. “No, I won't listen! I don't care about anyone else, Mom. I just want you. Only you!"

heartbroken. She shot Charles a look full of hatred.

don't want to

rather die!" she choked out

crying so hard she nearly passed

rejection of Charles couldn't be

"Aurora!"

"Charlie!"

Luna and Charles called out at the same time, unable to stand

already lost his daughter once, and the thought

little girl sob like her heart was

Luna even more than he'd realized. To her, he was just a stranger-one she wanted nothing to do with. He didn't even have the right to comfort her, so all he could do was watch, helpless, as Luna tried to calm her

himself unravel. Charlie, net

Charlie wouldn't settle. In the end, she fainted right there in Luna's

rushed forward, scooped her up, and

just around the corner from the

Charlie was weak, her body frail. She needed to avoid any more

her forehead, his heart aching

all