The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 676

Was Charlie about to kiss him too?

Charles looked at her, hope shining in his eyes.

The moment their eyes met, Charlie paused, caught mid-movement. After kissing her mom, she instinctively turned to glance at Charles standing beside her. His gaze was full of pride and joy-and underneath, a nervous, eager anticipation.

A sudden impulse welled up inside Charlie; she wanted to kiss him too. But just as she started to move, her thoughts flickered to her mom.

Would Mom be upset? Would she mind?

She knew things were still frosty between her parents.

Charlie shot a quick look at Evelyn. Her little body, which had leaned toward Charles, tilted back toward her mom. She wrapped her arms around Evelyn and didn't look Charles's way again.

Evelyn, who'd been watching her daughter the whole time, saw it all-the moment Charlie almost went to Charles. She knew, ever since she'd agreed to let Charlie keep competing, that Charles would use every chance to be close to their daughter, to make up for lost time.

Charlie craved her father's affection. She was easily moved by Charles's kindness.

meet Charles's disappointed eyes. She just

few people dabbing at their eyes. This unexpected, heartfelt

host gently nudged them that Evelyn managed to collect herself, though her arm stayed snugly around Charlie. She took the trophy from her daughter and held

Charlie's own hands, finally felt truly perfect-something no one else

celebration. Night had fallen, fairy lights sparkled everywhere, and laughter filled the

Suddenly—

Whoosh-

Boom!

thunderous crack split the night. A giant firework bloomed overhead, showering the sky in color. More fireworks followed, racing upwards and

show. But her

clapped her hands and pointed at the exploding fireworks, her

of longing crossed Charlie's

always envied other kids riding on their dads shoulders at the park or at festivals She'd secretly maghed her own dad lifting

dad was always so

time with him, let alone had

Charlie did her best to hide that

was quick to notice. He remembered what Evelyn had told him at the amusement park—that he'd missed out on so much