The Day Our Promise Breaks

Charles was racing through the streets, every turn of the wheel echoing his urgency. He burst through the front door and flew up the stairs to the second floor.

Hearing Charles' voice, Dahlia hurried to the bed where Sandy was still caught in her "nightmare," and cried out, "Sandy, Daddy's here! Wake up, don't make Daddy worry!"

As soon as Charles entered the room, he spotted Dahlia sitting at the head of the bed, her legs hanging weakly over the side. Her entire focus was on Sandy, tears streaming relentlessly down her face, her eyes filled with heartache as she watched her daughter.

The words "Daddy's here" pierced through Sandy's murky nightmare, giving her a lifeline, and she murmured, "Daddy..."noveldrama

"Sandy, Daddy's right here," Charles said, striding over and taking her hand.

Sandy slowly opened her eyes, red and swollen from crying, and looked towards Charles at the sound of his voice. Her gaze was enough to break anyone's heart.

With a timid voice, she asked, "Daddy, is it really you? Sandy's not dreaming, right?"

"No, sweetheart, it's not a dream. It's really Daddy!" Dahlia gently patted Sandy's head, her voice thick with emotion.

"Daddy!" Sandy's eyes lit up with recognition. She looked at Charles, tears rolling down as she reached out to him. Charles immediately leaned in and scooped her up from the bed.

Sandy buried herself in Charles' arms, holding on tightly, sobbing, "Daddy, Sandy knows you were upset. Sandy really knows she was wrong. Please don't be mad at Sandy, Sandy won't do it again!"

Charles gazed down at the little girl in his arms, who had been so scared by a small lie that it had haunted her dreams. Earlier, at the mall, Sandy had gotten into a tussle with Eve over something Eve wanted to buy for Charlie. Even though Sandy didn't know the full story, Charles wasn't pleased with her behavior.

He had originally planned to have dinner with Sandy before taking her home, but he dropped her off early to let her understand her mistake. Kids shouldn't lie. Once it starts, it's a slippery slope, and Charles didn't want Sandy to grow up thinking it was okay.

He hadn't expeeted Sandy to be so sensitive and have such an intense reaction. Charles gently patted her back, comforting her, "It's alright, don't @y. Daddy's not mad at Sandy. Be a good girl and don't overthink things."

"Daddy, Sandy was so scared, so afraid you wouldn't want Sandy anymore."

"The way you looked at Sandy today made her so sad. But Daddy, please believe Sandy, she didn't mean any harm."

"You won't be left alone, sweetheart. Daddy promised. I will always be your Daddy, and I'll never leave you."

Charles reassured her softly.

Dahlia, wiping her tears, added, "Sandy's never lied before. When she came back, she felt so guilty for lying. She was really upset, thinking she let you down."

"Knowing you were upset really scared her. No matter how much I told her you love her and would forgive a little unintentional lie, Sandy just couldn't shake it off."

"She thinks she lied and fears you'll see her as a bad child and won't love her anymore."

Charles stayed silent. His feelings towards Dahlia were cold. The only reason he could bear sharing a room with her was Sandy. He couldn't stand Dahlia. If it weren't for the fact that Sandy needed Dahlia, and that Dahlia genuinely loved Sandy, he would have taken Sandy to live with him as soon as he learned what Dahlia was really like.

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Dahlia looked at Charles' indifferent profile, feeling an ache like a hundred tiny needles. She remembered the video call earlier even with the lights off, she could see Evelyn in Charles' embrace. Watching him hold Evelyn so closely drove her mad with jealousy. That kind of embrace was what she had always dreamed of.

Taking advantage of Charles not looking her way, she gave Sandy a subtle nod, reminding her not to forget the real reason they had called Charles over.

Sandy caught her mother's hint and, still clinging to Charles, said in a small voice, "Daddy, Sandy's hungry."

"Mommy asked the maid to save your favorite food in the kitchen. I'll go get it heated up for you right now," Dahlia chimed in eagerly, trying to please.