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.

even the feelings she never let

his

that one word-Daddy-meant

finally calling him Daddy

pride flickered on his face. With what little strength he had left, he reached up and wiped away Charlie's tears, his words

trailed off,

reassure

The world faded

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

of them

of "Daddy!" cut right through

Charles

Charlie into

with the other her voic quivering, "Don't cry, Charlie. Daddy's going to

who she was

Get him

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

a stretcher and rushed him to the

Charlie into her arms, and followed Francis

at the hospital, the surgery

herself to sleep

Charlie to bed and tucked her

strings, she found herself walking

was waiting, silent

and numb eyes fixed on

above the operating