The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 510

Brooks lifted his gaze to meet Charles's, their eyes locking in mid-air, sending sparks flying. Brooks's lips curled into a slight smirk as he said, "Charles, what you've done to Eve and Charlie is beyond just a little mistake."

"Do you even realize what Dahlia has put Charlie and Eve through under your watch?"

"Do you remember the date you threw that celebration for Sandy when she placed third at her sports event?"

Charles was momentarily at a loss. He remembered the event but had forgotten the date. Brooks sneered, "Let me remind you, it was December 22..."

Charles couldn't fathom why Brooks was bringing up that day. He assumed Brooks wanted to dredge up memories for Evelyn, of times he'd favored Sandy over his own family. Confronting those years of unconditional indulgence towards Dahlia and her daughter was something he struggled with. Each action felt like a betrayal to Charlie and Eve. He couldn't face it, nor could he bear thinking about it. So, he instinctively interrupted, "Brooks, why are you bringing up that day?!"

Evelyn, nestled in Brooks's arms, suddenly looked up, her eyes red, and hoarsely screamed, "Why bring up that day?! That was the day we buried Charlie!"

Charles's eyes widened in shock. That was the day Charlie was laid to rest? What had he done? A chill washed over him, and he staggered back, hitting the wall hard. Until then, he hadn’t considered the depth of it all. He never realized Dahlia had deliberately caused Charlie's death. But now, with Brooks laying it all out, he recalled the details.

Sandy's kindergarten sports event, Dahlia and her daughter’s harmonious performance at Greenrose, Sandy's plea for a celebration, and Dahlia's casual suggestion of Sunday, telling him not to spoil Sandy too much. On the celebration day, Dahlia's call to Evelyn, inviting her to bring Charlie so he could see him, played back in his mind.

At the time, he didn’t believe Charlie was gone. He had missed him and longed to see him. But only Eve showed up, and she disrupted the celebration. Dahlia called the police, and he hadn’t stopped them, allowing Eve to suffer. That night, not finding Charlie's ashes in the next room, he grew furious and hurt Eve.