Her eyes wandered, unfocused, lingering on the ceiling for a moment.

Then, as if pulled by some invisible thread, her gaze drifted slowly to the side.

The first thing she saw was Evelyn, sitting at the edge of the bed-exhausted, worn down, but with hope shining bright in her eyes.

Their eyes met.

In an instant, tears spilled over in Evelyn''s eyes, blurring everything.

She bit down hard on her lower lip, fighting not to sob out loud. Her hand trembled as she reached out, wanting to touch, but too afraid to break the fragile moment.

"Mom... Mom?"

Charlie''s voice, weak but unmistakably clear, escaped her parched lips. It was soaked in doubt and raw emotion, as if she herself couldn''t believe it.

Just those two sybles swept away every shadow and hurt in Evelyn''s heart.

"Charlie! My Charlie!"

Evelyn couldn''t hold back anymore. She rushed to the bed, hands shaking as she cradled her daughter''s face, tears streaming down. "It''s me, darling! Mommy''s here! I''m right here!"

Her voice trembled, overflowing with wild relief and the terror of almost losing her.

Charlie gazed at Evelyn''s familiar face—suddenly, all the memories she''d been forced to forget came rushing back.

Her mother''s gentle touch.

Her mother''s warm embrace.

Every little bit of care and love andfort she''d ever known.

"Mommy!"

Charlie broke down, wailing as she threw herself into Evelyn''s arms, wrapping her little arms tightly around her mother''s neck, sobbing so hard it hurt. "Mommy, I missed you much! I was so scared! I thought... I thought I''d never see you

again!"

Her whole body shook with every sob, her cheeks turning red, as if she could pour out every ounce of fear, longing, and the wild joy of being found again in her tears.

Evelyn''s heart splintered and healed all at once with each cry.

She hugged Charlie tight, feeling the warmth and trust in her daughter''s trembling body.

She pressed frantic kisses to Charlie''s damp forehead and soft hair, whispering over and over, “I''m here! I''m not going anywhere! Mommy will always be here! My baby, my Charlie, you really came back..."

A few steps away, Charles watched the two of them, mother and daughter locked in each other''s arms.

He saw the love and trust Charlie had for Evelyn.

He was happy for them, he really was.

But his heart was in his throat.

He was anxious. Afraid.

Charlie had her memories back.

She would remember her mother''s love and she would remember how he''d failed her, all the times he hadn''t been there.  sfn1a05 The rightful source is ?ovelFind/fn1a05

He stood frozen, heavy as stone.

He wanted to go to her, to say something, but he couldn''t make himself move.

Charles''s presence was impossible to ignore.

Curled against Evelyn''s neck, soothed by her mother''s gentle

ds Charlie finally stopped

But she could feel Charles'' her.

s

on

She lifted her head and turned.

She saw Charles.

Charlie''s eyes, still rimmed red from crying, widened in shock. She blinked, like

she was making sure he was real.

For a split second, her heart jumped her eyes even sparkled.

"Dad" was right there, on the tip of her tongue-until she remembered.

And just like that, the light in her eyes went out.

A memory shed across her mind: her fifth birthday. Dad had promised, really

promised, he''d spend it with her.

She''d waited for him at the amusement park all day.

He never came. She waited until she

was shivering

shoom cold, got so sick.

she copsed, coughing

blood-and still, he never showed.  s

Even then, she hadn''t med him.

She thought maybe something important came up-Dad had to work; he was always busy.

But that wasn''t it at all.

He hadn''t missed her birthday because he was busy. He''d skipped it to be with

Sandy, celebrating her birthday instead.

He''d rented out the whole Magic Kingdom, set off fireworks, all for Sandy.

Thinking of that, Charlie''s little face crumpled.

Tears welled up in her eyes again.

And right then, she knew for certain-her dad didn''t love her, not even a little bit.

Charles felt his heart crack under her gaze. He pushed his wheelchair forward, voice shaky and soft, "Charlie..."

"Go away! I don''t want to see you!"

Charlie''s voice rang out, sharp and trembling, thick with hurt and usation.