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.

saw it all, even the feelings she never let anyone else see.

his gaze to

one

calling

reached up and wiped away Charlie's tears,

trailed

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

grew dim. The world faded to

Evelyn's voice shook and cracked. Her hands trembled, clutching at

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

of "Daddy!" cut right through

Charles

Charlie into

the other her voic quivering, "Don't cry, Charlie. Daddy's going to be okay. He has to

wasn't sure who she was trying to convince

him

touched down on the roof with Francis's medical team, his expression grim as

they lifted Charles onto a stretcher and rushed him

stood, scooping Charlie into her arms, and followed Francis

the hospital, the surgery was

shaken and exhausted, cried herself to sleep

Evelyn carried Charlie to bed and tucked her in

found herself walking down

waiting,

hovered by the door, hollow and numb

above