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..."

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

But-

Charlie cut

to start making excuses for

you don't have to make up stories for him anymore. I'm eight now, I'm not a

know you used to say Daddy loves me, but that wasn't

because he's busy. He stays away because he doesn't want to be here. He doesn't love me, he

doesn't make money for me. He does

care about

Charlie spoke, the

believe their own

knew it was only because her mom loved her and wanted to protect her from the

inside, Charlie had known for a long time her dad didn't really

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

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

party while

waited at home. s

he doesn't love me, and I don't want to love him

having you

her mom ever really loved her,

heart