Chapter 683
Memories-every single one-came rushing back, clear as day.
Those months in Twin Bridges, with Charles-her Iceman-who did whatever she asked, sheltered her, promised her forever. She’d let herself forget him.
After her foster mother and Rosa brought her back to the Jenkins family, she’d lived on eggshells, never sure of her place, careful with every move. Sena mocked and bullied her, but Charles always stepped up, never hesitating to defend her. When she got sick, he’d stay up all night by her side. When trouble found her, he’d show up, teach her how to fight back, remind her he’d always be there for her.
Every little thing he did sunk deeper into her heart, until she couldn’t imagine him not being there.
She had loved Charles with everything she had, once. And then she despised him -wished him gone-because he’d favored Dahlia and her mother, and Charlie had paid the price.
She’d held onto that hate for so long.
So now, even with Charlie safe, even knowing Charles was truly sorry and desperately trying to make things right, her love for him hurt too much. The wounds ran too deep. She honestly didn’t want to love him anymore. Forgiveness? She’d never even let herself consider it. She couldn’t face what she
felt.
But now, hearing Charles was gone, Evelyn broke down completely, sobbing until she couldn’t breathe. Only now did she realize: beneath all that anger, the love she’d once carved into her bones had never really left. It was just buried beneath all her scars.
“Ms. Evelyn, you should go in and see Charles, one last time.”
Andrew’s voice was heavy, and the words “one last time” hit Evelyn like a punch. Her legs felt like lead as she stepped into the room.
There he was, eyes closed, pale as a ghost, tubes snaking everywhere—so still she could barely sense he was there at all.
“Charles…” she choked out.
Nothing.
She reached for his hand-the one with no IV. His skin was cold. She pressed it
to her tear-streaked cheek, sobbing harder.
Facing death, what grudge could possibly matter anymore?
Leaning close, her voice trembling so only he could hear, she whispered, “Charles, don’t die. I forgive you..
“If you wake up, I promise, we’ll start again. We’ll give Charlie a real family…”
Tears splattered on the back of his hand. Evelyn knew it was too late for promises now, but she didn’t know what else she could say.
She was crying so hard, she didn’t notice the tiny flutter of his eyelids.
Then, slowly, Charles opened his eyes.
ět
He was weak, but it was like some invisible force had lit him up from
inside
Disbelief and wild hopee!
glimmered in his eyes. s
Had he actually heard her say it?
Eve said she forgave him. If he woke up, they could start over, give Charlie the home he deserved!
“Eve…” Charles managed, voice barely a whisper, as if afraid it was just a dream. Evelyn jolted, stunned. Hearing her name, she looked up, meeting his gaze.
Tears were shining in Charles’s eyes.
“Eve… did you mean it? You really want to give me another chance?”
He squeezed her hand as hard as he could, hope burning in his eyes, needing to hear her say it again, just to be sure.
Suddenly, Evelyn understood-Andrew had lied. He’d told her Charles was gone, just to force her to face her own heart.
She looked at Charles, didn’t pull her hand away Instead, she slowly wrapped her fingers around his,
nodded, and said softly “Yes, net
heard me right, Charles. I want to give you another chance. Let’s start over.” . s
The pain wasn’t gone. The wounds would take time. But deep down, she knew—
she still had Charles in her heart.
After all, she’d loved him with everything she had.
She was ready to try, ready to let the pain go and give Charlie the family he deserved.
“Thank you, Eve. I love you,” Charles whispered, tears running down his cheeks.
“Daddy, Mommy, let’s never be apart again! Charlie burst into the room, grabbing Charles’s hand with one hand and Evelyn’s with the other. s
They both squeezed Charlie’s hands tight, tears and laughter tangled together,
and promised as one, “We won’t.”
-The End-