The Day Our Promise Breaks

Time can't be rewound.

Nothing could ever be undone.

He couldn't go back, couldn't start over, couldn't erase the pain that Charlie had endured because of his neglect and indifference.

All that was left was the present-and he'd hold onto it with everything he had.

From now on, he would do his best to be the father Charlie deserved.

He'd give her everything he possibly could.

He'd never disappear from her life again.

...

Andrew watched Charles, whose eyes were full of guilt and remorse, and just couldn't bring himself to step in.

He understood what Charlie's miraculous return meant to Charles.

Nothing mattered more to him than being by Charlie's side-not even his own life.

So all Andrew could do was keep Charles's health from crumbling any further.

He did what he could to minimize the strain on Charles's battered body, gave him an injection to help him hold on a little longer.

Half an hour later, Andrew signaled for Francis's people to help him settle Charles into the wheelchair he'd had customized for comfort and ease.

He attached the saline bag to the chair, double-checking everything.

When all was set, Andrew wheeled Charles next door to Charlie's room himself.

...

door, Evelyn hadn't slept for a full day and night.

She watched her daughter until, without

door opened so quietly it barely made

pushed Charles into

eyes found the bed immediately, and his

bedside and leaned in, whispering, "Charles, call if you need anything.

taking his eyes off Evelyn and

tightly around Charlie's small fingers, her brow still

out, slow and gentle, smoothing out the crease

to notice; his hand was so careful

relaxed, she

little girl nestled

if she were the rarest treasure on earth-something lost and

Charlie's lips were dry

obvious effort,

every movement slow and

lines into his

sterile cotton swab from the cup on the nightstand, his hand trembling

with infinite patience, dabbed the moisture

absolute. He pushed aside his own pain, pouring all his

Minutes ticked by.

stayed soft and

...

"Charlie!"

Evelyn jolted awake.

first reflex was to check on the little girl in

breathing, she finally let out a breath she'd been

wasn't alone in

Charles was there.