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.

her want to rush to her side, but she remembered how Charlie had pushed her away

Charles noticed.

Evelyn with concern. He squeezed her hand a little tighter. "It's okay.

chance to

without thinking, she let Charles guide her to the bedside, her steps a

"Daddy..."

whimpered, still lost in her

hand to gently catch Charlie's

seemed to calm at Charles's voice, snuggling closer and grabbing hold

her with a gentle

breaking with

there, Charlie gradually settled

world balanced on the edge of that small bed. Softly, he said, "Eve, why don't you stay tonight?

Evelyn couldn't say no.

her Charlie-the daughter she'd lost and somehow

side, even knowing that

to look away. Carefully, she lay down on the other side of the bed, making sure not

there, she memorized every detail, listening to the

Charlie

slipped down her cheeks, soaking

Evelyn nor Charles slept that

kept watch over Charlie