The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 386

Before Wesley's call came through, Evelyn had just stepped into the cemetery. Since hearing about Dahlia's miraculous recovery, Evelyn had tried reaching out to Wesley countless times, but he never picked up. Dahlia’s suicide attempt had worked like a charm, not only winning Charles’s trust but also tugging at Wesley’s heartstrings. Once again, Evelyn found herself back at square one.

That familiar, crushing sense of helplessness from two years ago washed over her. Unless Dahlia, the true culprit, was exposed, she'd never face the justice she deserved, and Evelyn's dear Charlie would never truly rest peacefully. The guilt she carried for Charlie was too heavy for words. All she could do was kneel at her daughter's gravestone, tenderly kiss the little face etched there, and whisper over and over, “I'm sorry, sweetheart.”

Her tears dried in the crisp morning air.

“The wind’s pretty strong here. Don’t catch a chill.” Charles said as he carefully placed offerings for Charlie and draped his coat over Evelyn's shoulders. But Evelyn shrugged it off with a swift flick of her hand. Charles, however, held her shoulders firmly in place, thwarting her attempt.

“Eve, no matter how much you despise me, don’t punish yourself.”

When Evelyn stopped resisting, Charles thought he had finally gotten through to her. He reluctantly let his hands slip from her shoulders, savoring the brief contact. As he bent down to arrange the offerings, he noticed another coat at his feet. Evelyn had already stood, planting her foot on it defiantly.

Charles paused, looking up at her, his voice low and tinged with helplessness, “Eve, can’t we at least get along?”

Even if she couldn’t love him like she once did, putting him first in everything, at the very least, she didn’t have to look at him like she wished he’d just disappear every time they met.

“Why don’t you ask Charlie if she agrees with you and Dahlia having killed her?” Evelyn’s icy stare pierced through Charles. Wesley had laid it all out last night, yet Charles chose to believe Dahlia just because she threatened to take her own life. So easily. If he’d allowed himself even a flicker of doubt about Dahlia, Charlie’s death would’ve been avenged ages ago. Dahlia wouldn't have kept slipping through the cracks, living free and smug till now.

“Are you upset about last night?” Charles rose slowly, meeting Evelyn’s gaze, which was full of hatred, and tried to reason with her.