Hazel's POVI stared at the phone that vibrated again on the table. The name Nicholas was clearly displayed on the screen, making my head throb. For the umpteenth time today, he was trying to reach me. I sighed in frustration, placing my spoon down on the plate and leaning back in my chair. The atmosphere around me seemed to freeze, with only the sound of the ticking clock audible.Today was supposed to be a time for myself, enjoying a cup of hot coffee and savoring a long-neglected book. However, thoughts of Nicholas kept intruding. Our memories swirled in my mind. His smile, our overlapping laughter, and those moments when the world felt perfect. But all of that now felt like a distant shadow, overshadowed by unresolved problems.I turned my gaze to the window, watching the rain fall softly. Each drop seemed to add weight to the burden on my chest. What was it that he wanted to say? Why did he keep trying to contact me despite my clear avoidance? Cu
Hazel's POV Nicholas may not understand how difficult it is for me to accept Sabrina's presence in Charlie's life. Every time he mentions her name, all the bad memories and uncertainties about our future come flooding back. The pain caused by Sabrina's presence feels like a wound that never heals.I wanted to speak, but my words got stuck in my throat. All the heavy experiences I had to go through alongside Charlie made me feel alienated. Nicholas never truly felt that burden. He may feel caught between two loves, but for me, this is not just a choice. It is protection for my child.In my heart, I know that this decision might complicate things even further. However, the responsibility to keep Charlie safe is far more important than Nicholas's feelings of guilt. In this situation, I must be the strong and firm voice, even if it means facing Nicholas with terrifying uncertainty."Listen, I have tried to be nice, but you keep pressuring me."Th
Hazel's POV "I will not change my mind, Nicholas," I finally said, my voice cold and firm. "Charlie stays with me, and Sabrina will never enter his life again." I hung up the phone before Nicholas could argue further. Roughly, I placed the phone on the table and looked at Charlie, who was still engrossed in his toys. My heart felt tight, filled with a mix of frustration and despair. All this time, I had given everything for this child and for Nicholas, but somehow it felt like I still had to fight alone.Seeing Charlie smile, I realized how much he meant to me. He was the light in my life, an irreplaceable source of happiness. Yet, behind his smile, I felt threatened. Sabrina's presence loomed, trying to disrupt the peace we had built. I would not let that happen. Not now. Not ever.All the sacrifices I had made felt pointless if Nicholas continued to let the shadow of his past disturb us. Every time he spoke of Sabrina, I felt the emotional wall between
Hazel's POV Without thinking, I quickly climbed the stairs and opened his room door. "Charlie!" I called, shocked by the sight before me. Charlie sat on the floor with a sketchbook in his lap. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he still held a crayon, scribbling harshly on the pages. The drawings that should have been beautiful were now a mess, filled with jagged lines that seemed full of emotion. I immediately crouched in front of him, cupping his small face in my hands. "Sweetheart, what are you doing? Why are you scribbling in your sketchbook?" I asked gently, even though my heart felt anxious. Charlie lifted his tear-streaked face. "I don’t like having two Mommys," he sobbed, his voice trembling. "All my friends teased me… They said I was weird for drawing myself with two Mommys." I froze. So this was about that. I looked at his sketchbook. Even through the rough scribbles, I could still see the drawing. It
Hazel's POV I want to make sure this holiday goes perfectly. Not just for Charlie, but for me as well. This moment means a lot, and I want him to know that this is a special time for both of us—without anyone else between us. With that determination, I plan every detail to ensure everything goes smoothly.Early in the morning, before the sun fully rises, I’m already busy in the kitchen. The sounds of kitchenware and the aroma of food begin to fill the room. I prepare enough provisions for our trip. Thinking of Charlie's tastes, I want to make sure every meal I offer is his favorite.Charlie loves sandwiches packed with fillings, so I make some with peanut butter and banana—a combination that always makes him happy. I also prepare a few with his favorite smoked meat and cheese, ensuring that every bite will bring joy. As I prepare the food, I recall the little moments when we would eat together, the laughter and unforgettable stories.I don’t forg
Hazel's POV For each part that mentioned animal sounds, he imitated them enthusiastically. When we got to the cow part, he made the "Moo! Moo!" sound in a funny tone. I laughed watching him take it so seriously.As the song continued to the duck part, he exclaimed, "Quack! Quack!" with enthusiasm. The sound echoed in the car, making me feel as if we were at the zoo, surrounded by all the animals.We kept singing, and Charlie became more involved, adding hand movements as he followed the rhythm of the song. The journey felt shorter with the happiness we shared. Our music and laughter blended together, creating memories that would always be remembered.We laughed together, enjoying this little moment in the car. After a few songs, Charlie turned to me."Mommy, let’s play guessing games!""Alright, you go first with the question," I said while keeping my eyes on the road.Charlie thought for a moment, then smiled mysteriously. "I have fo
Hazel's POV The elephant ride was leisurely, passing along a special path in the zoo. The gentle breeze blew, and from above, we could see more areas below. The view was stunning, with various animals and visitors moving around. Each step of the elephant felt stable and comfortable, and I could sense the calmness beginning to seep into Charlie. Once finished, Charlie jumped down excitedly. "That was awesome, Mom!" he exclaimed, grinning widely. Seeing the happiness on his face made me feel joyful. He ran around, jumping with delight, unable to stop sharing how exciting the experience was. I followed him, feeling proud to share this special moment. Next, we headed to the primate area, where several chimpanzees were playing in their spacious enclosure. Their cheerful sounds filled the air as they wrestled and jumped around joyfully. One chimp approached the fence, looking at us with curious eyes. Charlie was f
Hazel's POV I took a quiet breath, placing my drink on the table. “What’s wrong, Charlie? Why aren’t you eating again?” Charlie looked down, his fingers playing with the tissue in his lap. “I... I want to see Dad,” he said softly. I felt a tightening in my chest. I knew how much Charlie missed Nicholas, but I also knew what would happen if I allowed Nicholas to come along from the start. I intentionally didn’t tell him about this trip because I wanted some one-on-one time with Charlie without interruptions from anyone, especially Sabrina. This moment was an opportunity to strengthen our bond, to share happiness without any conflicts or tensions disturbing us. However, seeing the disappointment on Charlie’s face made me feel guilty. I tried to convince myself that this was the right step, but the pain in my chest kept reminding me that this decision wasn’t easy. I wanted Charlie to feel loved and cared for, and I
Nicholas's POV I felt my urge to fight for Sabrina's rights grow stronger, and I knew I had to do everything I could to support both of them in this difficult situation. "Second," Rudi continued, "the stability of the environment. If the biological mother suddenly reappears and wants to take custody, she must prove that the change will not harm the child." I sighed. "But Hazel might use the fact that she is the biological mother." "True." Rudi looked at me intently. "But you can prove that for five years, it has been Sabrina who has cared for him. And if Charlie is old enough to speak, the court may consider his wishes." I fell silent, processing all this information. "So, what do you want to do, Nicholas?" Rudi asked quietly. I raised my face and looked at him. "I want to know, if I take this to legal proceedings, is there a significant chance that Charlie will stay with Sabrina?" Rudi nodded. "There is a possibility, if you have sufficient evidence." I breathe
Nicholas's POV From where I stood, I could see her walking into the room, disappearing behind the door. The atmosphere around her house seemed calm, with sunlight streaming through the windows, creating a warm ambiance.After a few seconds, I took a deep breath and walked back to the car. But as I reached for the door handle, I glanced back at the house once more.I didn’t know when it started, but lately, something felt different. It was as if something within me was beginning to change. Something that made me want to keep ensuring that Sabrina and Charlie were okay.This feeling was so strong, as if they had become an important part of my life. I felt more connected to them than ever, and that sense of responsibility was growing within me. Every time I saw Sabrina, I saw not just a friend, but also a struggling mother, and I wanted to make sure she wasn’t facing everything alone.I sighed, trying to gather my thoughts before getting into th
Nicholas's POV After dropping Charlie off at school and watching him enter the gate happily, I sighed in relief. I waved goodbye before turning to Sabrina, who stood beside me. She seemed to smile, but there was a hint of fatigue on her face.I could feel how exhausting yesterday had been for both of us. The happy moments with Charlie had indeed drained our energy, but seeing his smile made it all worthwhile. Sabrina took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weariness that was evident on her face.We walked slowly away from the school, enjoying the morning silence. The fresh air brought a bit of new energy, and I hoped today would give us a chance to relax. We both knew that despite the fatigue, this time together was the most precious thing.“Come on, let me give you a ride home,” I said while opening the car door for her.Sabrina gently shook her head. “I can go home by myself, Nicholas. You might be late for the office.”
Sabrina's POV Upon entering the room, I immediately sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling slowly. Nicholas grabbed a glass of water and took medication from the drawer, then handed it to me. "Drink this, and then you can go straight to sleep."I accepted it without much protest. After swallowing the medication, I looked back at Nicholas, who was still standing in front of me with a worried expression."I'll take care of Charlie," he said, as if answering a question I hadn't asked. "You don’t need to worry. Sleep, I promise everything will be alright."I nodded slowly. "Thank you, Nicholas."Nicholas smiled slightly, then pulled the blanket over me. "Rest. I’ll wake you up later for lunch."I merely murmured a quiet response. My body felt even more tired after lying down, and slowly my eyes began to close.Before I completely fell asleep, I heard the sound of Charlie's tiny footsteps approaching. "Mom, have a good rest."
Sabrina's POV When we reached the car, Charlie carefully placed Titan in the back seat, as if the robot were a special passenger. The ride home felt even cheerier with Titan's presence, a symbol of a day filled with happiness and precious moments we shared as a family.During the drive home, Charlie sat in the back seat with his robot in his lap. His eyes sparkled as he played with the robot's arms, as if imagining an epic battle between Titan and its enemies. Every time he moved Titan's arm, he narrated imaginative adventure stories.“Titan will fight a giant monster!” he exclaimed, his excitement unmatched. “He will protect the city from destruction!” His vivid storytelling made me smile.Nicholas, who was sitting in front, occasionally turned around and laughed at Charlie's imagination. “You have to be careful, Charlie. The monster can come at any time!” he said, adding excitement to the story.Charlie nodded seriously, as if he were truly
Sabrina's POV I decided to take over and give it a few tries myself. With hope, I directed the claw towards the panda, but the results were still the same. Every time the claw missed its target, I sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. It felt like an endless challenge, and I really wanted to see a smile on Charlie's face.Nicholas stepped closer, encouraging Charlie. “Don’t worry, Charlie. We can try again! Maybe we just need one more attempt.”Charlie nodded, though his expression still showed disappointment. I felt how important that panda was to him, and I didn’t want to give up just yet. We both kept trying, occasionally changing our strategy, but every time the claw reached for the toy, the outcome was the same.With unwavering determination, we gave it one last shot. I carefully directed the claw, praying in my heart that this time it would work. As the claw began to close, my hopes soared, but unfortunately, the panda remained in its place.
Sabrina's POV After finishing our shopping, as we walked past the stores, Charlie suddenly pulled my hand excitedly. "Mom, Dad, can we play first? Look, there's Timezone!" he said, pointing to the arcade area in the corner of the mall. I glanced at Nicholas, seeking his approval. Nicholas just smiled slightly and shrugged. "Why not? We still have time." Charlie immediately cheered and pulled us both toward the arcade. I laughed at his enthusiasm, while Nicholas just shook his head, smiling. Seeing Charlie so excited made my heart flutter. Moments like this are what I always wanted—sharing happiness and joy as a family. Once inside, the loud sounds from various game machines filled our ears. The laughter of children and the sound of falling coins created an atmosphere full of energy and cheer. Charlie jumped up and down, his eyes sparkling as he saw all the colorful games. He ran toward the most eye-catching machine, as if all the games were calling him. Nicholas and I followed be
Sabrina's POV I run toward the yard, flinging open the front door, hoping to find her standing there. But there is no one. My chest tightens further. My eyes begin to burn. No. This can’t be happening. “Charlie!” I scream at the top of my lungs, my voice rising in panic. Tears are falling before I can hold them back. I bite my lip, my body beginning to shake violently. It feels like the entire world around me is collapsing in an instant. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I’ve lost Charlie. My hands grip my chest, which feels painful, my head spinning with terrible thoughts. I sob, my knees finally giving way, and I fall to the floor, shaking uncontrollably. “Charlie... where are you?” I whisper through my sobs, a desperate voice barely audible even to myself. I cry uncontrollably, feeling a fear I’ve never experienced before. I’m still sobbing on the floor, my body trembling uncontrollably. My breath is ragged, my chest feels so tight. The fear grips me tightly, as if shatte
Sabrina's POV Nicholas sat beside me, and his presence provided an invaluable sense of security. We shared a moment of silence, listening to the soothing sounds of nature. The gentle wind and rustling leaves created a harmonious melody, adding to the peace of this night. I reflected on all the efforts and struggles we had faced. Each step felt heavy, but tonight, it all seemed worthwhile. With Nicholas by my side, I felt strengthened and supported. He was always there, a light in the darkness, and I felt grateful for his presence. As I gazed at the sky, I envisioned a bright future. I knew many challenges awaited, but tonight, I felt ready to face them all. The love and support we had gave me the strength to move forward, and I no longer felt alone. “Sleep, you must be tired,” Nicholas said. I nodded and left the room. I lay down next to Charlie, pulling the blanket up to cover his small