The Day Our Promise Breaks

Holding Evelyn's cold hand, Charles looked up at her, his heart aching in ways he couldn't put into words.

"Eve..."

Evelyn jerked her hand away, glaring down at him, her eyes burning with anger.

"I'm sorry."

Charles's own eyes were rimmed red.

He knew all too well how much Charlie's rejection cut into Eve-how deep that pain went.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

Charles wanted to say something to comfort her, but before he could, a small figure on the bed began to toss and turn, her sleep disturbed by another nightmare. Soft, panicked sobs filled the room. "Daddy... Daddy..."

That was Luna's handiwork-she'd planted the idea in Charlie's mind to keep Charles away from Evelyn, using his guilt to pull him back to the house.

Every time Charlie fell asleep, the nightmares came.

Her tiny hands reached out into the empty air, as if searching for something-or someone to anchor her.

"Charlie, it's okay. Daddy's here. I'm right here."

Charles answered her instantly, his voice gentle and steady.

Charlie so frightened made her want to rush to her side, but she remembered how Charlie had pushed her away before. She stopped herself, standing

Charles noticed.

stopped pushing the wheelchair, turning to Evelyn with concern. He squeezed her hand a little tighter.

chance to

she let Charles guide her to the bedside, her

"Daddy..."

still lost in her

pulled Evelyn closer, reaching out his big hand to gently catch Charlie's flailing

closer and grabbing hold of his shirt like it was a

a gentle pat on the

with longing, but too afraid to touch

Charles there, Charlie

daughter's peaceful face to Evelyn, whose eyes never left Charlie, her whole world balanced on the edge of that small bed. Softly, he said, "Eve, why don't you stay tonight? Be here with

Evelyn couldn't say no.

Charlie-the daughter she'd lost and somehow

down even a moment by her side, even knowing that when morning came, Charlie

sleeping face, unable to look away. Carefully, she lay down on the

she memorized every detail, listening to the soft,

told her Charlie was really

slipped down her cheeks, soaking into the pillow in

Charles

kept watch