Chapter 663
If the hypnosis stayed in place, Charlie would never remember the pain he’d put her through. She’d keep leaning on him, trusting him, loving him, just like she did now no questions asked.
He was her favorite dad.
And then there was Eve.
With him smoothing things over, Charlie had stopped pushing Eve away. As long as Charlie didn’t shut her out, Eve’s love would reach her eventually.
So once Luna was out of the picture…
It wouldn’t take long for Charlie to truly accept Eve. For Charlie’s sake, Eve would let him stick around, too. Then Eve would see how much he really regretted everything, and he’d spend the rest of his days loving them both with everything he had.
For Charles-who once had no hope at all—the temptation was overwhelming. But he knew he couldn’t do it.
Sure, it would be the best outcome for him, but it would be unforgivable to Eve and Charlie. How could he deceive Eve again, using something so low and underhanded just to win another chance with her?
His resolve only wavered for a second. Then, with a steady voice, he said, “Andrew, lift it. Just make sure Charlie doesn’t get hurt. Not even a scratch.”
Let Charlie remember.
Let her remember her mom, the one she loved most.
Let her remember how he’d ignored her for Dahlia and her daughter.
Whatever Charlie ended up feeling about him, at least it would be real. He couldn’t let his own longing make him that selfish.
What right did he have, anyway?
If Charlie ended up hating him, refusing to forgive him-well, that’s just what he deserved.
“Alright. I’ll get everything ready. We’ll do it for Charlie first thing in the morning,” Andrew replied, nodding before heading off to prepare.
Charles turned to go back to his room, only to see Evelyn step out from around the corner.
After Charles left, Charlie’s sleep was restless.
Evelyn, who never truly slept deeply, opened her eyes as soon as she noticed Charles was gone. Worried Charlie would wake and find herself alone, she slipped out of bed to look for them-just in time to overhear Charles talking with Andrew.
“Eve, once the hypnosis is lifted tomorrow morning, Charlie will remember you,” Charles said, rolling his wheelchair over to her.
Evelyn lowered her gaze to meet his.
For a moment, she’d been afraid Charles might not want Charlie’s memories restored.
“Will it hurt her?” she asked softly.
Evelyn only cared about Charlie’s wellbeing. She couldn’t bear to see her daughter in pain, not even a little. If undoing the hypnosis would hurt her, she’d rather keep things as they were As long as Charlie was safe and by her side, she a nave her whole life to make her daughter accept her. s
“Don’t worry. With Andrew around, nothing’s going to happen to Charlie,” Charles assured her.
Evelyn gave a quiet nod and said no more.
Charlie was alone in the bedroom. Neither of them could relax, so they both
returned soon after.
They lay down
beside her, one on
each side. Charlie snuggled into
Charles’s arms. He hugged her gently, pulling her a little closer,
holding onto the feeling of his
daughter safe in his arms. This was
probably the last night she’d ever cling to him like this. s
Eve was there, too.
Charles didn’t sleep at all that night.
Next morning, Andrew had everything ready.
Charles convinced Charlie to lie down on the table, pretending it was just a routine check-up.
The procedure was long and exhausting. Under deep hypnosis, Charlie went through waves of emotional turmoil.
Evelyn waited right outside the
treatment room, unable to leave, listening to Charlie’s cries. She almost begged Andrew to stop-she just couldn’t stand hearing her daughter in pain. But once they started, there was no way to turn back.
Charles stayed too, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles went white. He fought
down his panic and squeezed Evelyn’s hand. “Charlie’s going to be okay,” he murmured.
Evelyn kept her eyes glued to the door, her hand never leaving his.
Charles just held on tighter.
…
The wait felt endless.
Finally, the door opened and Andrew stepped out. Seeing their anxious faces, he
got right to the point: “Charlie’s fine. She’s sleeping now-she’ll wake up in a
couple of hours.”
Charles and Evelyn hurried to Charlie’s side.
Those two hours felt both long and short at the same time.
On the hospital bed, Charlie’s eyelashes fluttered. Slowly, she opened her eyes.