The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 664

Her eyes wandered, unfocused, lingering on the ceiling for a moment.

Then, as if pulled by some invisible thread, her gaze drifted slowly to the side.

The first thing she saw was Evelyn, sitting at the edge of the bed-exhausted, worn down, but with hope shining bright in her eyes.

Their eyes met.

In an instant, tears spilled over in Evelyn's eyes, blurring everything.

She bit down hard on her lower lip, fighting not to sob out loud. Her hand trembled as she reached out, wanting to touch, but too afraid to break the fragile moment.

"Mom... Mom?"

Charlie's voice, weak but unmistakably clear, escaped her parched lips. It was soaked in doubt and raw emotion, as if she herself couldn't believe it.

Just those two syllables swept away every shadow and hurt in Evelyn's heart.

"Charlie! My Charlie!"

Evelyn couldn't hold back anymore. She rushed to the bed, hands shaking as she cradled her daughter's face, tears streaming down. "It's me, darling! Mommy's here! I'm right here!"

Her voice trembled, overflowing with wild relief and the terror of almost losing her.

Charlie gazed at Evelyn's familiar face—suddenly, all the memories she'd been forced to forget came rushing back.

Her mother's gentle touch.

Her mother's warm embrace.

Every little bit of care and love and comfort she'd ever known.

"Mommy!"

neck, sobbing so hard

again!"

every sob, her cheeks turning red, as if she could pour out every ounce of fear, longing, and the wild joy

all at

warmth and trust in her daughter's

frantic kisses to Charlie's damp forehead and soft hair, whispering over and over, “I'm here! I'm not going anywhere! Mommy will

steps away, Charles watched the two of them, mother and daughter locked in each other's

love and trust Charlie had for

for

was in his

He was anxious. Afraid.

her

how he'd

stood frozen, heavy

to her, to say something, but he couldn't make himself

was impossible to

neck, soothed by her

Charlie finally

she could feel Charles'

s

on

lifted her

She saw Charles.

eyes, still rimmed red from crying, widened in shock. She blinked,

was making sure he was

her heart jumped her eyes

on the tip of her tongue-until she

just like that, the light in her

her