The Day Our Promise Breaks

It didn't make any sense to repeat what Sandy had just said in front of Charles. Deep down, he believed Sandy wouldn't lie; she was a good kid. Otherwise, even after seeing through Dahlia's games, he wouldn't still be so fond of Sandy.

Those videos Dahlia showed her clearly portrayed how much Charles cherished Sandy. The words Sandy had just spoken would only seem like figments of her imagination to Charles. Evelyn didn't want to waste her breath arguing about it. She stepped forward decisively.

Sandy flinched, thinking Evelyn might hit her again. But Evelyn simply grabbed the Elsa doll from Sandy's grip. She wasn't about to let Sandy have her way. Charlie had already lost too much in life, and even after his passing, Sandy wanted what was meant for him.

"Eve!" Charles called out as Evelyn snagged the Elsa doll and turned to leave with Brooks. He tried to grab Evelyn's wrist, but she swiftly dodged, and Brooks blocked him. Charles's hand met empty air, and his gaze darkened as he watched their synchronized movements. He suspected the tension was over the Elsa doll.

Seeing Elsa made Charles remember the custom Elsa birthday gift he'd prepared for Charlie two years ago. Sandy had seen it and tried it on. By the time it came off Sandy, it was already worn. So, he had rushed to have another made for Charlie, even adding her name to it—a unique Elsa princess dress. But Eve always believed the dress meant for Charlie was the one Sandy had worn. Charles knew this misunderstanding was a sore spot for Eve.

"Eve, the Elsa dress I promised Charlie two years ago was mistaken by Sandy as hers, which is why she had one. The one I sent to Maple Garden was specially made for Charlie, not the one Sandy wore," Charles explained, hoping this would clear the air. But then he shifted the conversation, "Sandy is still a kid, Eve. No matter how upset you get, you shouldn't have laid hands on her."

Brooks's expression turned icy. "Charles, before accusing Evelyn of hitting Sandy, maybe you should ask what Sandy said to provoke her?"

Charles, hearing this, looked at Evelyn. Wasn't it just about the Elsa doll? He knew Eve was upset about Charlie's birthday gift and that she wasn't fond of Sandy because of Dahlia. But Brooks hinted at something more.

"Sandy, what did you say?" Charles asked, convinced Sandy was always honest. He looked down at her.

Sandy, with a hint of grievance, looked up at Charles, "Sandy didn't say anything wrong. Sandy just liked the Elsa and wanted it, so she took it. Ms Evelyn said it was something Charlie liked and asked me to give it to her. But Sandy liked it too and didn't want to. Then Ms. Evelyn got mad and hit Sandy..."

Brooks was shocked to see Sandy, a mere seven-year-old, lie so smoothly while nestled in Charles's arms. "Daddy, Sandy saw it first, and Sandy wants it..." After spinning her tale, Sandy fixated on the Elsa dottin Evelyn's hand. Whatever she

wanted, she felt she must have. Did

Ms. Evelyn think taking it was enough? As long as she wanted it, her dad would surely help her get it back.

"Sandy, do you know about surveillance cameras?" Brooks abruptly interrupted Sandy's performance. Sandy, under Dahlia's influence, could lie without a second thought. But at just seven, without Dahlia's guidance, she wouldn't know how to handle things on her own.

Feeling triumphant, she was

suddenly brought back to reality by Brooks's mention of cameras, and panic flashed across her little face. She knew what surveillance was. Cameras would have captured everything. Her dad would know what she said. Sandy realized those words couldn't reach her dad's ears. To him, she was always obedient and truthful.

If he found out what she said about Charlie, he would surely be disappointed. And if he disliked her, her mom couldn't use her as a reason to see him. Her mom had warned her to make sure her dad liked her more and more. Her future with him depended on her. If she made him dislike her...

Sandy couldn't bear to think about how angry her mom would be. Plus, she genuinely adored her dad. She didn't want him to dislike her. Just a child, overwhelmed by panic, she couldn't keep calm. Her eyes darted all around, avoiding Charles's gaze. She was genuinely scared.

And Charles noticed. His heart sank. Could it be that Sandy...?noveldrama

Even though Charles couldn't quite accept it, he didn't shy away. He called the

store manager and said, "Pull up the surveillance footage from this spot." Hearing this, Sandy's arms around his waist instinctively tightened.