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."ThHazel'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 POVThe words barely escaped my lips, surprised by this sudden news.Nicholas stepped closer and sat beside me. He looked serious, but there was an optimistic tone in his voice. His presence provided a bit of calm amid the uncertainty I faced."Charlie wants to meet you," he said. That information felt like a surge of new energy touching my heart. The longing that had built up inside me began to break, waiting to be released in a long-awaited meeting.Nicholas continued, explaining that he had just spoken to Hazel. It turned out that Hazel hadn't allowed him to bring me to meet Charlie. However, there was certainty in his tone that we could arrange something. Most importantly, Charlie himself wanted this.A mix of feelings began to arise. I felt hope and excitement but also a bit of doubt. While I desperately wanted to meet Charlie, there were concerns about how ready I was for that meeting.Nicholas looked at me as if
Nicholas’s POV I stepped into my office building with a steady stride, even though my mind was still filled with the various events that had transpired lately. I let out a long sigh. I didn’t want to keep thinking about that woman, but for some reason, she always appeared in my life, as if she would never truly leave.Once I arrived at my office, my secretary, Laura, was already standing there with a tablet in her hands, ready with today’s schedule. I took off my jacket and hung it on the back of my chair before looking at her with a nod."What’s on my agenda today?" I asked as I sat down.Laura quickly opened the schedule on her tablet. "This morning you have an internal meeting with the finance team, followed by a meeting with the head of the marketing division. Then at one o'clock, you’re scheduled to meet with Adrian."I looked up, my expression instantly sharpening. "Adrian?"Laura seemed hesitant for a
Hazel's POV I wanted my child back. I wanted to prove that I could be a better mother for him. I wanted to show the world, especially Sabrina, that Charlie should be with me, not her. But did I really want to depend on a man like Adrian?I took a deep breath, trying to control the emotions swirling inside me. "Tell me one thing, Adrian," I finally said. "If I accept your offer, what guarantee do I have that you won’t just discard me once you get what you want?"He smiled, his expression hard to read. "I’m not the kind of man who likes to throw away valuable assets, Hazel."Assets? I clenched my jaw, feeling sickened by his choice of words. I wasn’t his asset. I wasn’t a pawn in his business chess game.But I also knew that if I rejected him now, I might lose my only chance to win Charlie back.I stared at him for a long time, trying to read his intentions. Adrian had always been a calculating m
Hazel's POV “But that’s what you want, right?” he replied in an overly casual tone. “I just want to help you.”I shot him a sharp look. “Why do you suddenly want to help me? I don’t need your help, Adrian.”He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Are you sure?”I fell silent, my mouth feeling dry. His words reflected a deep uncertainty. On one hand, I knew I was strong enough to face this problem on my own. On the other hand, my heart wondered if there was a way to fix everything that had been broken.The atmosphere between us grew tenser, and I could feel the discomfort flowing in the air. The mixed feelings left me bewildered. Why did he suddenly want to get involved again after being gone for so long?Adrian seemed to study my facial reactions, as if searching for a way back into my life. How could he act as if everything was fine after all that had happened?I struggled to gather my thoughts, trying to und
Hazel's POV As I opened the apartment door, I let out a long sigh. Today had been quite exhausting. The fitness class went as usual, but my mind kept drifting to various troubling thoughts. I kicked off my shoes carelessly, threw my bag onto the sofa, and walked toward the kitchen, intending to grab a glass of cold water to refresh my mind.However, before my hand could open the fridge, my phone rang. Frowning, I pulled my phone from my bag. An unknown number was displayed on the screen. Who could be calling at this hour?At first, I wanted to ignore it, but for some reason, a strange feeling emerged in my mind. Hesitantly, I pressed the answer button and brought the phone to my ear.“Hello?” My voice sounded flat, a bit tired.“Hi, Hazel.”That voice made my body tense up immediately. I recognized it clearly. No way. After all this time, why now?“Adrian?” I murmured sharply.Adrian chuckled softly on the othe
Sabrina's POV After breakfast was over and Nicholas left to meet his client, I decided to spend some time with Charlie. This was a rare opportunity for me to go out just the two of us, without distractions or being rushed by a schedule. Charlie looked very excited as we exited the hotel. "Mom, where are we going?" he asked, gripping my hand tightly. I smiled. "How about we go see the River Thames? We can walk along its banks, enjoy the views, and maybe try some London snacks." Charlie immediately nodded with bright eyes. "I want to! I also want to see the Tower Bridge!" We strolled leisurely through the city. The morning air in London felt cool, and the bustling atmosphere of the city gave a different energy. I enjoyed every step we took, while Charlie continued to chatter about various things that caught his interest. When we reached the banks of the River Thames,
Sabrina's POV Nicholas gently stroked my shoulder. "You need to rest too, Sabrina. Today has been tiring for all of us." I nodded, though I was still reluctant to leave Charlie’s side. I wanted to make sure he was really safe. Nicholas took my hand and gently pulled me. "Come on, let him sleep. We need to rest too." Finally, I stood up, glancing at Charlie one more time before following Nicholas to our bed. Tonight had been full of unexpected events, but the most important thing was that we were still together. And that was more than enough for me. Once we lay down, Nicholas turned off the light, and the room became quiet. In the dark, I felt comfortable with Nicholas beside me. We held hands, as if it were a reminder that we were not alone. With my thoughts calm, I let myself sink into the warmth and love that we shared.
Sabrina's POV Nicholas came and immediately knelt in front of Charlie, gently holding him shoulders. "Charlie, you can’t just go off on your own like that. This is a strange place, and we were so worried about losing you." Charlie looked down, his voice soft. "I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to..." I sighed in relief and kissed his forehead. "The important thing is that you’re back now. But next time, don’t go without telling us, okay?" Charlie nodded quickly, his eyes a bit watery. "I promise, Mom." Seeing the moment between Nicholas and Charlie warmed my heart. Our family was the most important thing, and even though this situation made me anxious, our togetherness provided a sense of safety. We had been through so much together, and moments like this reminded me of how meaningful our relationships were. Nicholas gave Charlie a gentle smile, then tur
Sabrina's POV Yet, I held back my feelings, choosing to maintain a polite smile before finally turning to leave with Nicholas. As we walked out of the restaurant, I felt Nicholas's hand grip mine tightly, as if he could sense my unease. I turned to him, and he looked at me for a moment before saying, "Don’t think about him. I’m here." I nodded slightly, trying to calm my mind. But I knew this wasn’t over. After leaving the restaurant, we decided to spend time at the famous amusement park in the city. Charlie looked so excited, holding Nicholas's and my hand while continually asking what ride we would go on first. Once we arrived at the amusement park, the colorful flashing lights welcomed us with a festive atmosphere. The laughter of running children and the cheerful music floating in the air made this place feel so alive. Charlie jumped with joy, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the various rides
Sabrina's POV "Ah, you finally made it. Sabrina, Nicholas, this is my son, Adrian Harrington." Nicholas nodded politely, but I could feel my body tense. Adrian gave me a slight smile before sitting in the empty chair. His eyes bore into me, as if assessing something. His smile didn’t fully convey warmth, and I felt a tension between us. "So, you are Sabrina," he said quietly, his voice carrying something difficult to interpret. I merely nodded and offered a small smile, trying to keep the atmosphere positive. However, deep inside, I felt uncomfortable. There was something in Adrian's gaze that made me feel he knew more than he let on. His sharp eyes seemed to penetrate the outer layer I presented. I struggled not to let that anxious feeling take over, but the mysterious aura around him kept me on guard. My smile felt forced, and I tried to focus on the conversation at the table, even