Nicholas's POV
As I entered the house, the warm aroma of cooking greeted me, mixed with the sound of Charlie’s laughter. I had just placed my car keys on the table when small footsteps ran towards me.“Daddy’s home!” Charlie exclaimed joyfully, immediately hugging my leg tightly.I smiled and gently ruffled his hair. “Yes, Daddy’s home. Did you have a fun day?” I asked, bending down to look at his excited face.Charlie nodded quickly. “Yes! Mommy took me to the market! I ate lots of ice cream and saw lots of toys!” he said enthusiastically.I chuckled. “Wow, that sounds like a fun day.”At that moment, Sabrina appeared from the kitchen with a gentle smile. She was still wearing an apron, looking like she had just finished cooking. “Nicholas, you’re back.”I nodded and stepped closer to her. “Yes. And I’m starving,” I joked.Sabrina laughed softly. “Good, I’ve prepared dinner. But first, you should change your clotheSabrina's POV I sat in my chair, watching Nicholas and Charlie enjoy their dinner heartily. Charlie's face was filled with expressions of joy as he chewed on the roasted chicken I made, while Nicholas occasionally glanced at me with a satisfied smile.Seeing them like this warmed my heart. I felt happy to be able to cook for my family again after a long time. I knew Nicholas always worried about me, especially after my surgery, but I wanted to prove that I was okay. I wanted to remain a wife who could take care of her husband and a mother who could provide the best for my child.“Mom, this is so good!” Charlie exclaimed with a mouthful of food. “The chicken is better than what they have at the restaurant!”I chuckled softly while ruffling his hair. “Really? I’m glad you like it, Sweetheart.”Nicholas nodded in agreement. “I have to admit it too. This roasted chicken is a winner. I don’t know how you made it so delicious, but I’m happy to
Sabrina's POV Charlie looked very happy to hear our answers. He continued eating with excitement, while Nicholas and I exchanged glances and smiled. Moments like this, sitting together, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company are always what I cherish the most. As we were still enjoying the fresh fruit, Nicholas suddenly put down his fork and looked at us seriously. “I have to go to London tomorrow morning,” he said, his voice sounding calm yet firm. I, who was chewing on melon, immediately paused, staring at him in shock. “London?” I asked to confirm, while Charlie, sitting next to me, also turned to look with wide eyes. Nicholas nodded and then smiled. “And I want you to come with me.” Charlie immediately shouted with joy. “Really, Dad? We’re going to London?” I was still stunned, trying to process Nicholas's words. “Wait a minute,” I said, placing my fork
Sabrina's POV This morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Maybe it was due to the excitement of the trip to London or the warm feeling after last night's conversation with Nicholas. I turned to the side and saw my husband still sound asleep, his breath steady and calm. I smiled softly before slowly getting out of bed, trying not to wake him.I stepped out of the room and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Today would be a long day, and I wanted to make sure we all had enough to eat before heading to the airport.In the kitchen, the morning light illuminated every corner, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. I opened the fridge and took out ingredients for breakfast: eggs, bread, and some fresh vegetables. While cooking, my thoughts drifted to our travel plans for London.I imagined the streets we would explore, the places we would visit, and the precious moments we would create. The sound of frying and the aroma of the food cooking made
Sabrina's POV The check-in process went smoothly, and we soon received our boarding passes. After that, we proceeded to the security area. Charlie seemed a bit confused by all the procedures, but I explained each step to him. “We need to go through security to keep everything safe,” I said, trying to calm his curiosity.Once check-in was complete and we had our boarding passes, we continued to the security checkpoint. The atmosphere around us felt alive, filled with various sounds and activities. I glanced at Nicholas, who looked as calm as ever. However, there was an excitement in his eyes that I couldn’t ignore; it was clear he was also thrilled to be on this journey with us.Charlie walked ahead, still full of enthusiasm, gazing at all the new things he saw. “Mom, can we see the plane up close?” he asked, his voice full of hope. I smiled and nodded, feeling joy at his excitement.When we arrived at the security area, we followed the instructions to
Sabrina's POV Nicholas gently patted Charlie’s head. “There’s nothing to worry about, buddy. It’ll feel a bit strange at first, but after that, you’ll enjoy it.”The plane began to accelerate on the runway, and I could feel a strong push as the wheels lifted off the ground. Charlie jumped a little, his eyes widening as the plane started climbing into the air.“We’re flying! Mom, we’re really flying!” he shouted excitedly.I laughed and nodded. “Yes, dear. Enjoy our first trip!”I glanced at Nicholas, who was smiling calmly while looking out the window. He then reached for my hand over the armrest, holding it gently.Our journey had just begun, and I felt so happy.After the plane reached cruising altitude, I finally felt I could relax a bit more. Charlie, who had been tense during takeoff, was now starting to enjoy the ride. He kept looking out the window with bright eyes, occasionally gasping in wonder at the clouds that lo
Sabrina's POV As the taxi stopped in front of the hotel, I sighed in relief. The long journey from the airport was finally over, and now we could take a moment to rest before enjoying our time in London. I turned to Charlie, who was still full of energy, his eyes shining at the sight of the magnificent building where we would be staying.“Wow! Mom, the hotel is so big!” he exclaimed in awe. I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Yes, sweetheart. We’ll be staying here while in London.” Nicholas got out first and helped the driver unload our suitcases from the trunk. Meanwhile, I took Charlie's hand and led him out of the car. The cold London air greeted us again, causing Charlie to huddle a bit before quickly hiding behind my body.Nicholas approached us after dealing with the luggage. “Let’s go inside!” he said, pulling one of the large suitcases. The three of us stepped into the spacious and elegant hotel lobby.The high ceiling was adorned
Sabrina's POV I sighed and shook my head gently. “Honey, you don’t need to apologize all the time. This is your job, I understand. Charlie and I can spend time together here.”He smiled in relief at my words. “Thank you, Sabrina. I know you’ll be fine. Enjoy your day, okay?”“Of course,” I replied, trying to be supportive.He gave a faint smile, but I could see a hint of guilt in his eyes. He stepped closer and kissed my forehead gently. “Thank you for understanding.” I just smiled and patted his arm lightly. “Go on, before you’re late!” Nicholas finally grabbed his jacket and adjusted his tie before stepping toward the door. Before leaving, he turned back to us. “I’ll call when I’m done.” I nodded. “Take care!”Once he left, the atmosphere in the room felt quieter. However, I tried not to let the silence bother me. Charlie and I had plenty to do. I decided to plan a day full of adventure and fun, ensuring that even without
Sabrina's POV I chuckled at his chocolate-smeared face. His wide smile made me feel happy. I took a tissue from my bag and wiped his cheeks. “Be careful eating, sweetheart. You’ll get your clothes dirty.” Charlie just laughed, seeming not to care much about my warning. His eyes continued to observe the surroundings, watching other children running on the grass, a pair of grandparents chatting on a bench across from us, and people passing by with laughter and light conversations. The atmosphere in the park was vibrant, filled with joy and warmth. Children ran around with enthusiasm while adults chatted leisurely, enjoying their time. I felt glad to see Charlie so captivated by the life around him. A few children started playing ball, and their laughter and cheers added to the cheerful ambiance. Charlie watched them with curiosity, as if he wanted to join in. I took a deep breath, enjoying the aroma of the grass an
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