They all hoped that something here would spark a sense of belonging in Charlie.

But she didn''t react at all.

Once she''d finished eating, Charles gently wiped the corner of her mouth. He spoke softly, "Charlie, did you like it?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"This is from your mom-"

Before he could finish, Charlie''s expression shifted abruptly.

Charles immediately stopped, not daring to push further.

"Daddy, where''s my mom? I want to see her."

Charles would never mention what Luna had done in front of Charlie-not until she remembered Eve, not until she was ready. She was still too young; she wouldn''t understand.

"She''s busy with something really important right now, so she can''t take care of you. That''s why you''re staying with Daddy," he exined gently.

Because of Luna''s nted suggestion, Charlie felt a natural closeness to Charles and didn''t question him at all. If anything, she trusted him even more.

Charles tried every way he could think of to help Charlie ept Evelyn.

He wanted to show Charlie the story of her own childhood, every moment Eve had carefully recorded over the past five years. If Charlie was willing to watch, she''d see that Eve was her mother, and that her mother loved her deeply.

But Charlie refused. She was clearly resistant.

Charles didn''t push her, afraid she''d pull away even more.

Instead, he used the trust she had in him to gently nt the idea that Evelyn wasn''t a bad person.

Even if she couldn''t ept Eve as her mom yet, maybe she''d at least let Eve get close-so it wouldn''t feel like a battle every time Eve tried to approach her.

With Charles''s patient efforts, Charlie finally conceded that Evelyn wasn''t dangerous.fnf7b7 This text is hosted at find{n}ovel/fnf7b7

Or maybe, she simply trusted that as long as Charles was nearby, he''d always protect her. So with him around, Charlie didn''t reject Evelyn so fiercely anymore.

They weren''t close, but at least she didn''t flinch away like a startled bird whenever Evelyn came near.

"Charlie, look," Charles said, holding out a te, "these are apples your mom bought for you. They were your favorite when you were little. They''re really sweet -want to try one?"

He picked up a bite-sized piece Evelyn had carefully peeled and sliced, and held it to Charlie''s lips.

Charlie nced at Evelyn sitting beside Charles. With his gentle encouragement, she opened her mouth and took a bite.

Evelyn watched her daughter quietly.

Even if Charlie hadn''t remembered her yet, just sharing a moment like this was enough for now.

She held onto the hope that Charlie would be okay.

That night, Charles suggested that Evelyn join him to read Charlie''s bedtime story.

Charlie didn''t resist Evelyn''s voice. She closed her eyes, nestled against Charles, and soon drifted off.

Evelyn''s heart melted.

She couldn''t help but lean down and gently kiss her daughter''s rosy cheek.

As the night wore on, Evelyny down on Charlie''s other side and fell asleep.

Charles, in the soft glow of the streetlights outside, watched the two of them sleeping. His heart felt full to bursting.

Nothing in the world made him happier than this.

These past two days, because of Charlie, Eve had stopped snapping at him. In

fact, since Charlie was so close to him, Eve''s attitude had softened.

Even if it was just make-believe, Charles felt genuinely happy.

Pretending felt almost real now.

Deep down, Charles hoped that one day Evelyn might forgive him, that they could

start ov and give Charlie the family she deserved.

***

Just after midnight, Andrew hurried to the door.

Charles saw the message and slipped out quietly.

Andrew held a thick report, his face serious as he handed it over. "Charles, we have the results."

His voice was rough from staying up all night, but his eyes were clear and sharp. "Charlie isn''t just dealing with PTSD or amnesia."

"She''s been through a deep, sophisticated hypnosis. It wiped out all her memories and emotional ties to Ms Evely swapping out the

mother in her mind and alter feelings about that role-for Luna.”  s

Charles''s face went pale as he took in Andrew''s words. "Deep hypnosis? Can it be undone? Will Charlie remember?"

Andrew nodded, though there was no relief in his eyes. "In theory, yes. We could try reverse hypnosis and neural therapy, but it''s risky. It might trigger a serious psychological bacsh. We''d have to be incredibly careful."  s

Won

"I''ll do everything I can to keep

Charlie safe. But..." Andrew hesitated his gaze steady and meaningful. "Charles, once the hypnosis is broken, all those original memories and feelings-especially the painful ones-wille flooding back."  s

Andrew''s words struck Charles like a bolt of lightning.

He got it instantly.

The painful parts-the harm he''d caused Charlie, the things he could never take

back.

If Charlie remembered, this fragile happiness would copse.

She''d hate him.

She''d never forgive him.

And Eve? She''d never forgive him, either.

A selfish thought crept in, impossible to ignore.

Maybe it was better to just leave things as they were.

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