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.

all, even the feelings she never let anyone else see. The sight

his

that one word-Daddy-meant

calling him Daddy

strength he had left, he reached up and wiped away Charlie's tears,

trailed off,

reassure her,

grew dim. The

cracked. Her hands

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

cries of "Daddy!" cut

Charles

pulling Charlie

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

wasn't sure who she was trying to convince

Get him to the

with Francis's medical team, his expression grim as

onto a stretcher and

Charlie into her arms, and followed Francis out of the Cipoletti

they arrived at the

and exhausted, cried herself to sleep on

manor, Evelyn carried Charlie to bed and tucked

found herself walking down the hall to the

waiting, silent

door, hollow and numb eyes fixed on

light above