The Day Our Promise Breaks

Sandy stood up straighter, looking like the perfect picture of obedience.

When Sandy answered without hesitation, Charles' tone softened, "Tell me the truth, sweetheart. When you first met Charlie, did you push her into the pool, or did she push you?"

As soon as he asked, Sandy's eyes welled up with tears, and she shook her head vigorously. "Daddy, I swear, I didn't push Charlie.

"Charles, why would you even ask that? You know how much Sandy cares about Charlie. She would never do such a thing," Dahlia chimed in, her motherly instincts kicking in to protect her daughter from any accusation.

"Charles, Sandy would never push Charlie. If you doubt her, we can have Evelyn bring Charlie here so they can sort it out face to face," Dahlia suggested, still puzzled as to why Charles brought up that incident.

But she knew for certain-there were no cameras around their pool. And besides, Charlie had passed away quite some time ago, so there was nothing to worry about. They just needed to stick to the story that Sandy didn't push Charlie; it was the other way around.

"Daddy, don't you trust me? Do you think I'm a liar?" Sandy's tears flowed freely, her expression filled with hurt.

Charles' heart ached to see her like this. He reached out and hugged her tight. "I was just asking, darling. Of course, I trust you."

Sandy wrapped her arms around his neck, climbed onto his lap, and buried her face into his shoulder, feeling heartbroken. Seeing Sandy so upset, Charles found it hard to continue questioning her. He gently patted her back, trying to soothe her.

Yet, Sandy felt wronged, and tears streamed down her face. Charles held her close, both of them caught in this emotional moment. Sandy didn't seem like she was lying, but then he remembered the video of Charlie, and she seemed just as truthful.

Maybe it was all a misunderstanding between kids not knowing if it was a playful tug or an intentional push. He

had been unfair towards Charlie, assuming she was lying. He saw a sick Sandy fall into the pool, jumped to conclusions, and unjustly punished Charlie without hearing her out.

Sandy was truly upset. Once they were back at Greenrose, she didn't want Charles to leave and clung to him even more.

"Charles, it's been ages since you've had dinner here. How about I whip up a few dishes, and you stay for dinner?" Dahlia asked warmly.

"Daddy, please stay for dinner?" Sandy pleaded softly.

Looking at her tear-swollen eyes, Charles couldn't bring himself to say no.

After dinner. Sandy stayed close, asking him to tell her a bedtime story. Charles didn't leave until he had tucked her in, and she was sound asleep. He finally stepped out of Sandy's room. en FindNovel

It was nearly nine o'clock, and Charles was getting ready to head out. As he passed Dahlia's room, the door ereaked open. Fresh from her shower and in her nightgown, Dahlia appeared in front of him.

Charles, taken aback by Dahlia's revealing nightgown, instinctively turned his head, trying to avoid looking directly at her.

But Dahlia moved closer, draping her arms around his neck. Her body was soft and warm against him. "Charles..." she whispered, the scent of alcohol on her breath.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were inviting as she leaned in, her red lips nearing his. "Why don't you stay the night?"