The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 204

Charles watched the video, his eyes fixed on Charlie's tear-streaked face. She had just gotten over a fever and was still looking pale and weak, leaning into Evelyn's arms while crying her heart out. She insisted it wasn’t her who pushed Sandy but that Sandy had pushed her, leading to her fall into the pool. Charles watched Charlie in such a state and found it hard to doubt her and accuse her of lying.

But did Sandy push Charlie? That seemed impossible! Sandy adored Charlie. She was the one who had eagerly asked to meet Charlie and even brought it up to him herself. "Daddy," she had said, "I just came back and don’t have any friends. Mom told me I have a sister named Charlie, and I want to be best friends with her. Is that okay?" She had puffed out her little chest like a grown-up and promised, "Daddy, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Charlie. I’ll share all my new clothes and Barbie dolls with her." She was so excited and so eager to be friends with Charlie—how could she have pushed her?

Just then, Charles' phone rang. It was Sandy. He paused the video and answered, “Sandy.”

“Daddy, don’t forget to pick me up today, okay?” she reminded him.

Hearing Sandy’s little reminder, Charles recalled her call from last night, asking if he could pick her up from school. He felt a pang of guilt about the whole situation with Sandy. He heard her cautious voice and immediately promised to pick her up.

“I haven’t forgotten. I will be there,” he assured her softly.

Perfect, he thought. He could also ask Sandy about what really happened with the pool incident.

“Oh, yay! That’s awesome, Daddy. I’ll wait for you.” With Charles’ promise, Sandy hung up, a wide smile spreading across her face. Her daddy was really coming to pick her up. Her mommy would be thrilled, too!

...

When Charles arrived at the preschool, he was five minutes late but just in time for Sandy’s class dismissal.