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.

never believed anything Charlie

side, always comforted Sandy, always

his heart, there was only ever Sandy. Charlie had never

washing over her

him go. I don't want

,

shelter, Charlie spun and threw herself into Evelyn's arms,

shirt, leaving a wet patch

his promise the day he rented out the whole amusement park for Sandy's birthday, setting

the heart. It had shattered

the years of Charles's neglect, the

daughter tighter, as if she could pull

then looked up at Charles, her eyes cold and

Charlie sobbed in Evelyn's

being slowly sliced apart with

run to her, to pull her into his arms, to beg for forgiveness, to somehow make

arms of his wheelchair so tightly his knuckles turged White. He didn't ever

then parted again. His Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak—just one word of explanation, a plea,

word got