The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 670

Charles looked at Charlie-so much thinner and more fragile than any eight-year- old should be—and his eyes grew even redder, guilt burning in his chest.

This was all his fault.

Charlie's small hands balled into tight fists.

Listening to Charles explain himself, finally admitting his mistakes, all the hurt she'd bottled up over the years rushed back. It wasn't just that he broke his promise on her fifth birthday. There was so much more...

He always favored Sandy, never believed her, always doubted her, calling her a liar, a troublemaker. He didn't believe she was sick-he'd only stay with Sandy, never with her.

The more she remembered, the more it stung.

Tears streamed down her face and soon she was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

Charles saw the pain in her and his own heart shattered. He pushed himself from his wheelchair onto the bed, scooping her trembling little body into his arms, aching with regret.

"Charlie, please don't cry. This is all my fault. Every bit of it. Daddy made you feel so alone."

"I know now I was wrong about everything. It was all a misunderstanding. You're not a bad kid, you never lied to me."

the sweetest, best daughter in the world. You never hurt Sandy, it was always her-she set you up, blamed

Sandy, couldn't tell right from wrong, and I hurt

am. I regret those five years more than anything- the years I wasn't

pulled Charlie back to every moment she'd ever been let down, every time her heart

broke into a

his lap, fumbling to wipe away her tears, his voice soft and desperate. "Shh, sweetheart,

now on, I won't let this happen again. No matter what, you and

down again. I

“---

your mom.

there. Anytime you want

drop everything and come right away.

through her tears, eyes

putting. distance between them. Shaking her head voice trembling, she choked out

didn't trust him

he always spoiled Sandy. Sandy got whatever she wanted, and he believed every

many times had Dad just gotten home, only

gone again, off to see Sandy