The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles watched quietly as the car wound its way through Maple Garden, coming to a halt in front of Evelyn's building. He stumbled out and made his way slowly to her door. His knees ached and were swollen from kneeling all night.

Evelyn hadn't slept either. The memories of Charlie were painful for both her and Charles, and she had spent the night in Charlie's room, clutching a photo and crying.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. She set the picture aside and opened the door to find Charles standing there, looking worse for wear. His face was ghostly pale, and his bloodshot eyes spoke of a long, sleepless night. Stubble shadowed his jaw, adding to his weary appearance.

Evelyn's gaze was icy as she spoke, "Charles, how dare you show up here?" She was seething. He should have stayed at Charlie's grave forever.

Aiden, who had followed Charles, couldn't hold back. "Ms. Evelyn, Mr. Jenkins was at Miss Charlie's grave all night and spent hours at the hospital retrieving her necklace..."

Charles cut him off, "Leave us, Aiden." He wasn't there for sympathy; it was simply what he had to do. Beyond that, he felt helpless.

With Aiden gone, Charles pulled the necklace from his pocket and offered it to Evelyn. "I brought Charlie back," he said softly. He wanted to keep her close but knew Evelyn needed her more.

Evelyn's hands trembled as she took the necklace. Her eyes were red and swollen. She held it like a precious relic, pressing it to her lips. "Charlie..." she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Charles reached out to wipe her tears, but Evelyn slapped his hand away as if he were a disease. His hand hung awkwardly in the air before dropping to his side, clenched with tension.

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Watching Evelyn clutch the necklace and sob, Charles felt his own eyes sting with tears. His voice cracked with guilt. "I'm sorry... I didn't know it was Charlie."

Evelyn's patience had gone, and she pressed the necklace on her heart. Her eyes, still wet with tears, burned into his Stop saying you're sorry Charles. Charlie's gone, and your apologies can't bring her back!"

"If you truly feel guilty and feel you owe Charlie anything, don't just kneel at her grave. Find Dahlia and make her pay. She's the one responsible!"

"Dahlia? No way! She would never harm Charlie," Charles insisted, his trust in Dahlia unwavering.

Evelyn shook with anger, incredulous at his blind loyalty. "How could Charlie have

a father like you?!" she spat, disgusted by his misplaced trust.

"Get out! Just get out!" she screamed, her eyes wild with fury. She grabbed a vase and hurled it at him.

Charles, already weak and slow to react, couldn't dodge. The vase shattered against his head, and blood flowed as dizziness took hold. He staggered back, reaching for support but finding nothing. His

world went dark as he hit the ground with a brutal thud, slipping into unconsciousness.