Hazel's POV
I 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? CuHazel'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
Sabrina's POVI took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as I began to lift the small dumbbell in my hand. It weighed only about one kilogram, but it felt like a ton pulling my arm down.My muscles tensed, and a pain shot from my wrist to my shoulder. Each lift felt heavier, as if not just my physical strength was involved, but also the emotional burden I carried.Still, I tried to stay focused. I knew this workout was not just for fitness, but also a way to relieve stress and regain my spirit. With every lift, I hoped to release the tension binding me, wishing to return with positive energy for Charlie and myself.I clenched my jaw, holding back the frustration that began to creep into my mind. It had been four weeks since the surgery, and although the doctor said I was showing good progress, I still felt far from recovery.My hands were not as strong as they used to be. My movements were not as fluid as before. Every time I tried to perfor
Sabrina's POV I had just arrived home after dropping Charlie off at school. As I opened the door, the gentle aroma of the empty house welcomed me. I placed my bag and keys on the small table near the entrance, taking a deep breath in an attempt to dispel the heavy silence that felt more oppressive today.Every corner of this house reminded me of the beautiful moments we had shared together. However, now everything felt empty without Nicholas's presence. I walked slowly into the living room, feeling the stillness envelop me.Sitting on the sofa, I reflected on how my days were always filled with noise and laughter. Now, everything seemed to have come to a halt. I picked up my phone and checked the screen, hoping for a message from him, but there was none.“I can get through this,” I whispered, trying to calm myself. Maybe I could do something to fill the time, something that would make me feel better. I got up and headed to the kitchen, intending to pr
Sabrina's POV Charlie looked proud to hear that. He puffed out his little chest, making me smile even more.When we arrived home, I helped Charlie take off his shoes on the porch. We went inside, and the aroma of chicken soup wafting from the kitchen immediately filled our noses.Charlie sniffed the air and exclaimed, “Wow, your cooking smells amazing, Mom!”I ruffled his hair gently. “Let’s wash our hands first, then we can eat.”We went to the bathroom, washing our hands together while laughing as Charlie played with soap bubbles. After that, we sat at the dining table. I poured warm soup into Charlie’s bowl, arranging it with cute-shaped vegetables, star-shaped carrots, and heart-shaped potatoes to make him more excited to eat.As the first spoonful entered his mouth, his eyes widened. “It’s so good, Mom!”I laughed. “You like it?”He nodded quickly. “Yes! Daddy has to try this later!”I held my breath f
Sabrina's POV I tried to focus on the road, but the image of his face kept haunting me. I imagined how he was doing now, in London, facing heavy challenges. “Is he okay? Does he feel alone?” I asked myself.Every question haunted my mind, but I knew I had to be strong. For Charlie, for Nicholas, and for myself.Upon arriving home, I walked slowly to the living room, sat on the sofa, and reached for a small photo album lying on the table. I hadn’t opened the album in a long time, but today, for some reason, I wanted to see the smiles captured by the camera.The first thing I saw was a photo of Charlie as a toddler, hugged by Nicholas while smiling brightly. His little face full of happiness reminded me of those simple times. It felt like just yesterday when he was learning to walk, and Nicholas was always there to catch him whenever he fell.I continued to the photo from Charlie's first birthday. Nicholas and I stood in the background, ou
Sabrina's POVThis morning felt a bit quieter. There was no sound of Nicholas's footsteps usually heard from the bathroom to the kitchen, no sleepy smile as he pulled out a chair for breakfast. It was the second day without his presence, and I was still trying to adjust.Every corner of this house felt empty, as if everything had lost its color. I sat at the dining table, staring at the empty plate in front of me. The aroma of coffee that usually warmed the atmosphere now only reminded me of his absence. I tried to distract myself by reading a book, but the words on the pages felt flat and meaningless.I remembered the little moments with him—how he would often tease me when I was too serious, or how he always remembered little details about me. Without him, my days seemed dull and monotonous.Taking a deep breath, I stood up from the table. Maybe I needed to go out and get some fresh air. But before that, I glanced at our photo on the wall. His b
Nicholas’s POV Leaning back in the car seat, I took a deep breath. I knew this journey was not just about saving the project, but also about saving trust—trust from clients, trust from my family, and perhaps, my own trust in the people I had once considered important.I opened my phone again, staring at the wallpaper photo, me, Sabrina, and Charlie in the park last week. They were the reason I had to resolve all of this. I couldn’t fail.“I’ll be home soon,” I whispered to the screen now displaying the digital boarding pass. “For you.”The plane was set to take off in one hour, and I was already sitting in the airport waiting lounge, alone with my endlessly spinning thoughts. My laptop was on my lap, but not a single email I read truly registered in my mind. I just stared at the blank screen while my thoughts returned to one point—Hazel.Why did she do it? What was her motivation? I knew she loved Charlie. But this… this wasn’
Nicholas’s POV I suddenly sank back in my chair. My body felt stiff, and my head felt like it had been hit with a blunt object. The project with Mr. Harrington wasn’t just any project; it was a long-term strategic partnership that would expand our business network into Europe. Everything was almost finalized. And now, canceled?I squeezed my temples with both hands. The missing report, Hazel avoiding me, and now this. Everything felt clearer. But there was no time to get caught up in anger or shock.I had to move quickly. With my mind starting to focus, I reopened my laptop and began checking all the data related to the project. If there were discrepancies, I needed to find them before Mr. Harrington made his final decision.One thing was certain: I couldn’t let this end like this. I had to find Hazel, get an explanation from her, and perhaps—just perhaps—find a way to save this project.“Book the fastest flight to London for today!” I c
Nicholas’s POV I had been holding my phone for five minutes, staring at the screen with Hazel's name clearly displayed. Anger bubbled inside me, but there was also deep disappointment. Even so, I knew I couldn’t resolve this with just emotions. I needed clarity. I needed direct answers from her.So, with a deep breath, I pressed the green button and brought the phone to my ear. But she didn’t answer.Seconds ticked by, feeling more and more tense. I tried calling again, but the result was the same. The courage I had built up began to fade, replaced by anxiety and frustration.What should I do now? If she was indeed involved, maybe she already knew I was suspicious. With each passing second, negative thoughts gnawed at me.The ringing tone continued until I finally heard her voice on the other end. “Hello?” “Hazel, it’s Nicholas.” There was a brief silence, then I heard her usual tone. “Oh… why are you calling
Nicholas’s POV My heart began to race. This wasn’t just an ordinary document. Inside were details of the monthly report, fund allocation strategies, and financing plans for new projects. Everything was sensitive.I stood and walked to the shelf in the corner of the room, checking the extra folders I sometimes used to store copies. Still nothing. “Strange…” I muttered as I sat back down and rubbed my temples.My mind drifted to many things. I hadn’t opened that document yesterday. So who did? My secretary was always meticulous and wouldn’t randomly move important documents without my knowledge. And the only person in my office yesterday was Hazel.I shook my head quickly, trying to dismiss the suspicion that arose. But my mind was starting to be clouded with discomfort. I rarely made mistakes with paperwork, especially something so crucial.Quickly, I pressed the intercom button. “Please come to my office now.” “Sure, sir.”
Nicholas’s POV Today was long, and I had to be strong for everything. A sense of responsibility flowed within me, pushing me to remain steadfast. With each passing second, I was determined to give my best for our family.Charlie began to tell stories about his friends at school, his cheerful voice filling the car. I tried to listen, although my thoughts still wandered to heavier matters. However, seeing his smile made me feel a little better.“Papa, look! There’s a dog!” he suddenly exclaimed, pulling my attention back to the road.I smiled, trying to engage in his excitement. “Yeah, champ! The dog is cute, isn’t it?”As soon as the car stopped right in front of the school gate, Charlie eagerly unbuckled his seatbelt. “Charlie’s off to school now, Papa!” he exclaimed as he reached for his bag in the back seat. I turned to him and placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment. “Wait a second.” Charlie stopped and looked at