The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 665

Charles thought he was ready for this.

From the moment he decided to let Charlie undergo hypnosis, he'd known that when she remembered everything, she'd never forgive him. He'd pictured this confrontation a hundred times, but actually facing his daughter's open resentment and rejection was a whole different kind of pain—one that squeezed his heart till he could barely breathe.

Once upon a time, Charlie had adored him. She used to look up at him with eyes full of pure, unfiltered love.

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't secretly hoped for a miracle. That even if Charlie remembered, even if she was hurt, maybe just maybe her love would be enough to give him a chance to fix what he'd broken.

But that was just wishful thinking.

"Charlie, I'm sorry. Daddy-" His voice was hoarse and shaky, every word heavy with helplessness and pleading.

He tried to apologize, but Charlie, eyes rimmed red and brimming with tears, cut him off before he could finish. She shook her head, her voice breaking as she sobbed, "You're not my daddy. You're Sandy's daddy."

Each word hit Charles like a shard of ice, sharp and cruel, cutting straight into his chest.

Charlie pressed her lips together, fighting to hold back even more tears.

He didn't love her.

He only loved Sandy.

believed anything

always took Sandy's side, always comforted

heart, there was only ever Sandy. Charlie

and injustice overwhelmed her, washing over her

to see him. Please, make him go. I don't want a

,

arms, her little body shaking with sobs

tears soaked through Evelyn's shirt, leaving a wet patch that stung like an open

heart twisted painfully. She knew Charlie was remembering the time Charles broke his promise the day he rented out the

a knife to the heart. It had shattered Charlie

park, the years of Charles's neglect, the endless times he favored Dahlia

if she could pull her into herself and

trembling back, then looked up at Charles, her eyes cold

watch as Charlie sobbed in

being slowly sliced apart with

to run to her, to pull her into his arms, to beg

knuckles turged White. He didn't ever feeunis

His Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak—just one

word got