The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 639

"Mr. Jenkins, this is Aurora's room."

Luna stopped in front of a tightly closed bedroom door, her slender fingers wrapping gently around the handle as she twisted it open. The door creaked softly, shattering the hush of the hallway.

The moment the door cracked, a muffled, tear-choked murmur slipped out—a sound so raw and cold it pierced straight through Charles, clutching at his heart.

It was Charlie-his Charlie-her voice tangled up in a nightmare.

Charles's heart dropped. Everything else faded away. He barely noticed Luna as he rushed past her, bursting into the dimly lit room.

Under the golden glow of the bedside lamp, he saw her right away-a small figure curled up on the bed. Charlie was huddled beneath the thick blanket, her bangs stuck to her pale face with sweat, the picture of misery.

Her eyes were squeezed shut, long lashes fluttering desperately, as if fighting off monsters only she could see. Her little body twisted and turned, lips parting over and over as she called out, broken and pleading:

"Daddy... Daddy..."

That thin, shaky cry scorched Charles right down to the bone.

his eyes. He'd spent so many days and nights believing no one would ever call him that again—believing that word, "Daddy," was lost to him forever. Now, hearing it again, wrapped in his daughter's

"Charlie!"

was low, rough-a cry torn between terror

it to the bed in a heartbeat, barely stopping before he swept her trembling, fever-hot body into his

at the slightest touch, cradling her

his suit, he carefully wiped away the cold sweat on her

promise pulled from the deepest part of him. "Daddy's got you. Nothing's going to hurt

to his daughter. And a silent challenge to

in behind him, her face a perfect mask of worry,

herself on the very edge of the bed, so close her shoulder nearly brushed his. Leaning in, her gaze glued to Charlie's anguished face, she let her voice spill out, tight and tinged with guilt. "I don't know what happened to Aurora! I called the family doctor right away-they checked her over and over, but couldn't find a thing. Seeing her like

the hard line of Charles's jaw, her tone

I hope

and Ms. Evelyn-by

look, every note in her voice,

didn't bother to call out

moved in a slow, steady rhythm along