The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 682

Charles staggered as Luna crumpled, then collapsed to the floor himself.

"Charles!"

Evelyn's eyes went wide with shock. Instinct took over-she lunged to catch him as he fell.

Her hands came away slick and hot, stained with blood-so much, and so bright, the color seared itself into her memory.

For a heartbeat, the world stopped spinning.

All Evelyn could see was Charles throwing himself in front of her, taking the bullet, shielding her without thinking twice.

At the exact second the sniper fired, Francis vaulted up from the terrace below. In

a blur, he grabbed Charlie, pulled her tight, and clamped his hands gently over her ears.

Charlie wriggled in Francis's arms, craning her neck to see. Across the chaos, she caught a glimpse of Charles-blood blooming across his chest.

She let out a shriek and broke free, running to him. "Daddy!"

Charles slumped in Evelyn's arms, his face ghostly pale.

Once he knew mother and daughter were safe, the last bit of strength bled out of him. His mind started to fog over.

But he forced his eyes open when he heard their voices.

He found Evelyn's face-her eyes red, not from tears, but from fear and worry.

the feelings she never let anyone

his gaze to

that one

calling him Daddy

reached up

words trailed

wanted to say more, to reassure her, but his body was slipping

dim. The world

and cracked. Her

hands pressed over Evelyn's, both of them trying desperately to stop the

of "Daddy!" cut right

Charles close

pulling Charlie into

quivering, "Don't cry, Charlie. Daddy's going to

she was trying to

Get him to the

with Francis's medical team, his expression grim as he hurried

a stretcher and rushed him

her arms, and followed Francis out

time they arrived at the hospital,

shaken and exhausted, cried herself to

at Francis's manor, Evelyn carried Charlie to bed and tucked her

as if pulled by invisible strings, she found herself walking down the hall to the

waiting, silent and

hovered by the door, hollow and numb eyes fixed on

light above the