The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 297

Even though he knew the answer, he still asked, "Any luck finding it?"

"No," Aiden replied, his voice a tired whisper, evidence of three sleepless days and nights.

"Let it go," Charles murmured after a long pause. He closed his eyes, feeling as if a piece of his heart had been ripped away.

---

Two years later, at the airport:

“Attention, passengers on Flight BA3491 to London. Boarding now…”

Hearing the announcement, Evelyn stood up and tugged her small suitcase toward the gate.

As she settled into her seat, a little girl, maybe four or five, ambled over, clutching a half-eaten ice cream cone. In a moment of imbalance, the girl stumbled toward Evelyn. Instinctively, Evelyn reached out to steady her.

The little girl regained her footing, but not before her ice cream splattered onto Evelyn's wrist.

“Well-mannered, this one,” Evelyn thought as the girl, with a sweet, soft voice, said, “Thank you, ma'am.” Realizing the mess she'd made, she quickly tried to clean up. “I’m sorry, ma’am…”

“No worries,” Evelyn smiled, charmed by the girl’s manners and cuteness, which brought memories of Charlie flooding back. Even after five years, thinking of Charlie still felt like a knife to her heart, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Oh…” The girl, helping wipe the ice cream, noticed the scars on Evelyn's wrist. Jagged lines of varying depth crisscrossed her slender wrist, looking raw and frightening.