The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 670

Charles looked at Charlie—so much thinner and more fragile than any eight-year-old should be—and his eyes grew even redder, guilt burning in his chest.

This was all his fault.

…

Charlie's small hands balled into tight fists.

Listening to Charles explain himself, finally admitting his mistakes, all the hurt she’d bottled up over the years rushed back. It wasn’t just that he broke his promise on her fifth birthday. There was so much more…

He always favored Sandy, never believed her, always doubted her, calling her a liar, a troublemaker. He didn’t believe she was sick—he’d only stay with Sandy, never with her.

The more she remembered, the more it stung.

Tears streamed down her face and soon she was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

Charles saw the pain in her and his own heart shattered. He pushed himself from his wheelchair onto the bed, scooping her trembling little body into his arms, aching with regret.

“Charlie, please don’t cry. This is all my fault. Every bit of it. Daddy made you feel so alone.”

“I know now—I was wrong about everything. It was all a misunderstanding. You’re not a bad kid, you never lied to me.”

“My Charlie is the sweetest, best daughter in the world. You never hurt Sandy, it was always her—she set you up, blamed you on purpose.”

“It was me who was blind. I trusted Sandy, couldn’t tell right from wrong, and I hurt you because of it.”

“I’m sorry, Charlie. I really, truly am. I regret those five years more than anything—the years I wasn’t there for you, didn’t take care of you, didn’t show you a father’s love.”

His words pulled Charlie back to every moment she’d ever been let down, every time her heart had broken.

Her quiet sobs broke into a full-on wail.

Charles gently lifted her into his lap, fumbling to wipe away her tears, his voice soft and desperate. “Shh, sweetheart, don’t cry.”

Even if, right now, everything he said was true—

She was terrified he’d just change again, just like before.

He’d loved Sandy so much, and now look how things had shifted.

She wanted to believe him, but wanting it only made it hurt more. She couldn’t handle being disappointed again.

She could never forget the heartbreak of her fifth birthday.

“Charlie…”

Charles’s hand hovered in the air, frozen, as he saw the distrust in her eyes. His voice came out rough, almost broken. “Charlie… I know you can’t forgive me right away… but… can you give me a chance? Just one chance—to make things right? Let me… prove it to you?”

Every word sounded scraped raw from his soul, filled with humble, desperate hope.