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 before. She stopped herself, standing

Charles noticed.

He squeezed her hand a little

couldn't resist the chance to

she let Charles guide her to

"Daddy..."

still lost in

closer, reaching out his big hand to gently catch Charlie's flailing fingers. "Charlie, Daddy's here.

closer and grabbing hold of his shirt like it was

her with a gentle pat on

him, her heart breaking with longing, but too afraid to touch

Charles there, Charlie gradually settled

whole world balanced on the

Evelyn couldn't say no.

her Charlie-the daughter she'd lost and somehow found

couldn't turn down even a moment by her side, even knowing that when morning came,

away. Carefully, she lay down on the other side of the

detail, listening to the

her Charlie

soaking into

nor Charles slept that

kept watch