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.

hide anything. In a low, steady voice, he told Evelyn

body went cold as she listened, her gaze on Charlie growing heavy with

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

shook her head, never looking away from Charlie. "I'm staying

He sat quietly at her side. Together, under the dim glow of the lamp, they kept silent watch over the precious child they

fight her exhaustion anymore and fell asleep, slumped over the edge

the bed without

blankets around both mother and

over them both through the long,

***

next morning, Evelyn had to leave

still lost in her dreams—maybe haunted by nightmares-hadn't woken

week-long, closed-door competition. Evelyn could hardly bear

shoulder. "Eve, go. Focus on your competition.

though it hurt, Evelyn knew she couldn't let Professor

pressed kiss

she could before finally,

see her off, but she shook her

take care of Charlie. That's

she couldn't

only one

she knew his guilt over their

had her back, Charles would never