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.

anything Charlie

always comforted Sandy,

ever Sandy. Charlie had never really

overwhelmed her, washing over her small body like a

see him. Please, make him go. I don't

,

bird searching for shelter, Charlie spun and threw herself into Evelyn's arms, her little body shaking

a wet patch

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

the heart. It had shattered

five-year-old Charlie collapsing at the theme park, the years of Charles's neglect, the endless

daughter tighter, as if she could

then looked up at Charles,

sobbed

his heart was being slowly sliced

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

so tightly his knuckles turged White. He

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

word got stuck in