The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 668

“Charlie?”

Evelyn froze for a moment, glancing down at her daughter.

“Mom, you should go to the competition!” Charlie said, her voice serious and her little face full of determination.

“Charlie, you need me right now. There will be plenty of chances to compete in the future...”

Charlie shook her head. “Mom, I’m okay now. Really. You don’t have to worry—just go!”

Ever since she could remember, she’d watched her mom sketch stunning jewelry designs on sheets of paper. Her own love for drawing came straight from those moments. Her godfather once told her that back in college, her mom had been a star.

But after Charlie was born, her mom gave up her dream of becoming a jewelry designer. She was always saying she didn’t regret it—that having Charlie was the best thing that ever happened to her.

Still, Charlie could see how much her mom loved design, how her eyes would light up when she talked about it. She wanted her mom to have a chance to shine, to stand in the spotlight.

“Mom, you already gave up one big chance for me. This time, I want you to go. I want you to win that competition and be the best designer ever!”

Evelyn saw the sincerity and encouragement in her daughter’s eyes, and her heart swelled. She swallowed hard, then nodded firmly. “Okay, I’ll go.”

“Go get ’em, Mom! I’ll be waiting for you to come back!” Charlie threw her arms around her mother’s neck and kissed her on both cheeks.

“Charlie, are you sure you’ll be alright here by yourself while I’m gone?”

“It’s only a few days, Mom. I’ll be fine. When you’re done, we’ll go home together to see godfather and grandma.”

Evelyn had told her about her grandmother just a couple days before.

“If you feel uncomfortable at all, you have to call me, okay?” Evelyn reminded her.

Inside were several sparkling princess dresses—each one delicately made, covered in glitter and sequins, just like the ones Charlie had loved before.

Charles watched her, hope flickering in his eyes, wishing for the tiniest smile.

“Charlie, look! This one’s brand new. And over here—this is a limited edition...”

He picked up a dress, holding it out as if it were a rare treasure.

Finally, Charlie’s gaze shifted from her book to the dresses. But instead of excitement, her face went pale. Tears welled up in her big eyes, quickly clouded with hurt and anger.

“Take it away!”

She shrieked, swatting the dress from Charles’s hands and knocking the box off the bed. The beautiful princess dresses spilled out, tumbling to the floor in a heap.