The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 669

Charlie stared at the Elsa dress crumpled on the floor, the memory of her fifth birthday stinging like fresh salt in a wound. Big, silent tears rolled down her cheeks, and her thin eight-year-old frame shook with each sob.

Charles’s heart shattered at the sight. He hurried to her side, scooping her gently into his arms, wiping her cheeks as he tried to comfort her. “It’s okay, baby, don’t cry. If you don’t want these dresses, Daddy will take them all away,” he whispered. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have bought something you don’t like.”

But instead of calming down, Charlie only cried harder. Her small fists pushed at his chest, squirming out of his embrace.

Feeling her resistance, Charles let go, his arms falling to his sides. Charlie shrank away instantly, pressing herself against the hospital bed, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. Through her tears, she managed to choke out, “Go away! I don’t want to see you!”

Charles stood frozen, unable to just walk out while his daughter was in pieces. His eyes filled with helpless pain. He wanted so badly to hold her, to make everything right, but she wouldn’t let him near.

He stayed by the bed, racking his brain for anything that might help. “Charlie, sweetheart, why are you crying? Is it the dresses? You can tell Daddy what you really want—I’ll buy you any dress in the world, okay?”

“Please, baby, don’t cry. You’re breaking Daddy’s heart.”

“Whatever you want, just say the word. I’ll get it for you.”

He’d give her anything—everything—if it would just dry her tears.

But Charlie couldn’t stop. There was too much pain bottled up inside her, too many words she’d never dared to say.

Through her blurry gaze, she saw the concern in Charles’s eyes, heard the softness in his voice. She’d seen this side of him before, but never directed at her—always at Sandy.

He had never looked at her like that. Never spoken to her so gently.

She was jealous of Sandy. Really, truly jealous.

To Charlie, Charles’s love was the most precious thing in the world. But…

She’d stopped believing in him on her fifth birthday. She didn’t want to trust him anymore.

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