The Day Our Promise Breaks

Her eyes were hazy at first, as if she were peering through a thin veil of mist, trying to figure out where she was.

Evelyn's breath caught.

A tidal wave of joy crashed over her.

Her little girl was awake.

"Charlie..."

Evelyn's voice quivered, her gaze fixed on Charlie, overflowing with a love so deep it almost hurt.

This was her precious child, lost and now found again.

Tears filled her eyes in an instant. When Charlie stayed silent, worry got the best of Evelyn. Unable to help herself, she reached out and gently touched Charlie's forehead, her voice thick with concern. "Sweetheart, why aren't you saying anything? Are you feeling sick anywhere?"

The touch snapped Charlie's wandering eyes into sharp focus.

Those wide, confused, tear-filled eyes landed on Evelyn's face, her pupils narrowing in fear.

"Ah-!!"

A scream, raw and piercing with terror, echoed through the hospital room.

Charlie's body was still so weak, but her fear of Evelyn gave her a burst of wild strength.

She shrank back, pulling away with everything she had.

Fighting to break free of Evelyn's arms, her tiny hands and feet kicked and thrashed, eyes wide with panic and rejection.

Stay away from me! Go

voice warping with pure fear, her little face flushing bright

Charles's face went pale.

in Charlie's body was gone-but she still didn't remember Evelyn or

still wanted nothing to do with

the call button

"Charlie!"

was breaking. "Don't be scared, honey! It's me, Mommy!

trying to touch her

"You're not my mommy!"

Evelyn like a

smacked her hand

back until

calling

crystal clear-she wasn't calling for Evelyn. She

her heart had been ripped in

get closer, but didn't dare upset

Swallowing her longing, she

tears streaming down her cheeks as she

touch you. Charlie, don't

But nothing calmed her.

his daughter, waiting for Andrew to

from Evelyn, Charlie

arms.

She froze.

rejecting everyone-everyone except