The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 666

Inside the Room

After Charles walked out, Evelyn gently untangled Charlie from her arms, lifting her daughter's tear-soaked face to look at her.

She took in those swollen, red eyes, shining with fresh tears, and the ache in her chest was almost too much to bear. Evelyn raised a trembling hand and softly wiped at Charlie's cheeks. "Baby, shh, it's okay. Don't cry."

But the more she wiped, the more Charlie sobbed, the tears spilling faster.

The warmth of her fingers seemed to sear straight into Evelyn's heart.

Bending down, her own eyes shining with unshed tears, Evelyn pressed a kiss to Charlie's forehead. One hand gently brushed away the tears, the other stroked the back of her daughter's head, smoothing her hair with the tenderest touch.

Every movement radiated love-gentle, aching, overflowing.

Looking at her daughter, so small and broken by sorrow, Evelyn fought to keep her own pain in check.

She knew—even if she could never forgive Charles for all that he and Dahlia had done, she couldn't make that decision for Charlie.

Deep down, Charlie loved her father. She craved his affection, yearned for the warmth of a dad in her life.

So even if Evelyn couldn't forgive Charles herself, she didn't want to sway Charlie's feelings. If Charlie wanted to forgive him, she'd never stand in her way. All she wanted was for Charlie to be happy.

Steadying her voice, Evelyn said softly, "Charlie, listen to me, sweetheart..."

she decided, even if she wanted to forgive her father, Evelyn

But-

Charlie cut

mother was about to start making excuses for Charles, just

up stories for him anymore. I'm

know you used to say Daddy loves me, but that wasn't true. He doesn't

want to

money for me. He does

about me

spoke, the

kid ever wants to believe their own parent doesn't love

building that dream-pretending Dad loved her. She knew it was only because her mom loved her and wanted to protect her from

time her dad didn't really

so hard to be good, to get along with Ms. Dahlia and Sandy, hoping that maybe if she was good enough, her dad would notice her see

princess dress

party while

waited at home. s

don't want to love him anymore.

Just having

her mom ever really loved her, with

Evelyn's heart twisted with