The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel 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.

Charles saw it all, even the feelings she never let anyone else see. The sight made his own eyes sting.

He turned his gaze to Charlie.

Just that one word—Daddy—meant the world.

His Charlie, finally calling him Daddy again.

Relief and pride flickered on his face. With what little strength he had left, he reached up and wiped away Charlie’s tears, his words barely a whisper. “Charlie… sweetheart… don’t cry… Daddy’s… alright…”

The words trailed off, broken.

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

His vision grew dim. The world faded to black.

“Charles!” Evelyn’s voice shook and cracked. Her hands trembled, clutching at him.

Charlie’s tiny hands pressed over Evelyn’s, both of them trying desperately to stop the bleeding.

Charlie’s cries of “Daddy!” cut right through Evelyn.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify