The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 641

The night was thick as ink, wrapping the city in a close, inky embrace.

Charles stepped out of the villa, holding Charlie snug in his arms as he climbed into the car. He just couldn't bring himself to let her go, so he kept her close, shifting her gently to make sure she was comfortable as she slept.

The car glided quietly through the city streets.

Staring down at his daughter-lost, and now found-Charles was overwhelmed. Relief, gratitude, guilt, and joy all tangled up inside him.

Thank God. Charlie was alive.

They headed straight for the hotel where Evelyn was waiting.

Evelyn had already been woken by someone Charles sent. She knew Charlie would be coming back, so she waited anxiously at the hotel entrance, eyes fixed on the road.

The moment she spotted Charles's car pulling up, she rushed forward.

The door opened. There was Charlie-really, truly back. In that instant, all of Evelyn's bravado crumbled. Silent tears spilled down her cheeks as she stared in disbelief.

Her hands shook as she reached to touch her daughter's face, but she held back, afraid to disturb her sleep. In the end, she only dared to gently squeeze Charlie's small hand.

Charles carried Charlie up to his suite, settling her on the soft, wide bed.

Evelyn sat at the bedside, greedily drinking in every detail of Charlie's sleeping face-a face so much like her own.

Charles stood to the side, watching the two of them. Mother and daughter, so close yet separated by everything that had happened. The ache in his chest was almost too much to bear.

didn't hide anything. In a low, steady voice, he told

listened, her gaze

happen to Charlie," Charles promised, wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders. His voice was low and sure. "I'll get more people to guard this place. Try to rest-you've got the semifinals

looking away from Charlie.

lamp, they kept silent

exhaustion anymore and fell asleep, slumped over the

moved carefully, lifting her onto the bed without

tucking the blankets around both mother

sat beside them, watching over them both through the

***

Evelyn had to leave for the

dreams—maybe haunted by nightmares-hadn't woken up

was going to be a week-long, closed-door competition. Evelyn

his broad hand on her shoulder. "Eve, go. Focus on your competition. I'll take care of Charlie.

Evelyn knew she couldn't

over, and pressed kiss after kiss to Charlie's

lingered as long as she

offered to see her off, but she

care of Charlie. That's all

she couldn't

was the only one

him, but she knew his guilt

Charles would never make