The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 237

Dahlia had splashed black ink over Charlie's gravestone, and the cemetery's security guard took Evelyn’s contact information, promising to keep a special watch for her. They'd let her know anytime someone visited Charlie's grave.

Evelyn scrolled through the photos the security guard had snapped on the sly. It was Charles, kneeling in front of Charlie's gravestone. He'd finally found his daughter's final resting place. Of course, nothing could have stopped him if he had really wanted to find it earlier. The fact that he hadn't known his daughter had passed for so long was just because he hadn't cared enough to put in the effort.

"He's Charlie's dad. Just let him be," she replied, sending back a quick thank you. Evelyn set her phone aside. Charles was kneeling for Charlie—it was the least he could do.

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The guards at the cemetery left Charles alone because Evelyn had instructed them not to bother him. But every time they did their rounds, there he was, still kneeling. He stayed like that the whole night, kneeling until dawn's first light.

As the sky began to brighten, Charles finally pulled himself up. "Charlie, I'll come see you again tomorrow," he promised, gently touching the gravestone as if it were her face. He stumbled away, his steps unsteady.

Aiden had been waiting outside the cemetery all night, leaning against his car, lost in thought. It wasn't until Charles approached that Aiden snapped back to reality. "Mr. Jenkins..."

Seeing the state Charles was in, Aiden held back the words he'd been rehearsing, unsure if he should say them. "What is it? Speak!" Charles demanded as he clambered into the car, his voice raw but commanding.