The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 662

They all hoped that something here would spark a sense of belonging in Charlie.

But she didn't react at all.

Once she'd finished eating, Charles gently wiped the corner of her mouth. He spoke softly, "Charlie, did you like it?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"This is from your mom-"

Before he could finish, Charlie's expression shifted abruptly.

Charles immediately stopped, not daring to push further.

"Daddy, where's my mom? I want to see her."

Charles would never mention what Luna had done in front of Charlie-not until she remembered Eve, not until she was ready. She was still too young; she wouldn't understand.

"She's busy with something really important right now, so she can't take care of you. That's why you're staying with Daddy," he explained gently.

Because of Luna's planted suggestion, Charlie felt a natural closeness to Charles and didn't question him at all. If anything, she trusted him even more.

Charles tried every way he could think of to help Charlie accept Evelyn.

He wanted to show Charlie the story of her own childhood, every moment Eve had carefully recorded over the past five years. If Charlie was willing to watch, she'd see that Eve was her mother, and that her mother loved her deeply.

But Charlie refused. She was clearly resistant.

Charles didn't push her, afraid she'd pull away even more.

trust she had in him to gently plant the idea that Evelyn wasn't a bad

if she couldn't accept Eve as her mom yet, maybe she'd at least let Eve get close-so it wouldn't feel like a battle every time Eve

finally conceded

as long as Charles was nearby, he'd always protect

she didn't flinch away like

plate, "these are apples your mom bought for you. They were your favorite when you were little. They're really

Evelyn had carefully peeled and

gentle encouragement, she opened her mouth and took

her daughter

hadn't remembered her yet, just sharing a moment like this was enough

held onto the hope that Charlie would

suggested that Evelyn join him to read Charlie's bedtime

Evelyn's voice. She closed her eyes, nestled against Charles, and soon

Evelyn's heart melted.

help but lean down and gently kiss her daughter's

wore on, Evelyn lay down on Charlie's other side

glow of the streetlights outside, watched the two of them sleeping. His

world made

past two days, because of Charlie, Eve had stopped snapping at him.

so close to him,

was just make-believe, Charles felt genuinely

almost real

one day Evelyn might forgive him, that

ov and give Charlie

***

Andrew

the message and

serious as he handed it over.