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..."

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

But-

Charlie cut her

start making excuses for Charles, just

she said, "Mom, you don't have to make up stories for him anymore. I'm eight

loves me, but that wasn't true. He doesn't

away because he doesn't want to be

money for me. He does it for

about me at

the tears kept

ever wants to believe their own parent doesn't

Dad loved her. She knew it

for a long time her dad didn't

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

dad gave the Elsa princess dress he'd promised to her to Sandy- instead, and

party

waited at home. s

me, and I don't want to love him anymore. I don't need

having you is

her mom ever really loved her,

Evelyn's heart