Nicholas's POV
After a while at the office, I felt restless. The thought of Sabrina still trapped in her sadness and the lingering tension between me and her began to bother me. I felt like something needed to be fixed, but I was confused about how to start. In the midst of my confusion, I remembered a brief conversation I had with Hazel about having dinner with Charlie. Seeing as Hazel and Charlie would be there, I felt like it was an opportunity to try to lighten the mood and find out what was really going on between Hazel and Sabrina.With a firm decision, I decided to go pick up Hazel and Charlie. I drove calmly, though my heart was still heavy, hoping that this dinner would bring some relief.When I arrived at the apartment, my heart was still filled with anxiety. I knew that our relationship, especially with Sabrina, was getting more complicated. But I also realized that this dinner could be an opportunity to create a better atmosphere, at least, thaNicholas's POV We continued with small talk, but the image of Sabrina's absence still haunted my mind. I promised to live every moment of this as best as I could, for Charlie, even though everything felt different.I felt a little relieved to see her trying to accept my answer. We continued our journey in a fairly calm atmosphere. In my heart, I hoped that this dinner could provide some relief, not only for Charlie, but also for me and Hazel. Although I knew our relationship with Sabrina was far from perfect, I hoped that with time, everything could be fixed.I felt as if time was passing more slowly as we sat in the restaurant. What should have been a relaxing dinner felt so heavy, with tension that I couldn't deny. Hazel sat next to me, Charlie beside her, and I at the end of the table, trying to calm my mind. But everything changed when Charlie started talking in an unpleasant tone. "Dad," he said softly, looking at me with a serious face, "why di
Nicholas's POV I was sitting awkwardly, holding an untouched wine glass in my hand, while the atmosphere around the dining table felt increasingly uncomfortable. Hazel next to me looked impatient, repeatedly moving her spoon and fork, but rarely touching the food in front of her. Charlie, who was sitting next to her, looked restless, his eyes kept glancing at the door, as if waiting for something. And that's when the door opened, and Sabrina appeared in the doorway. I was shocked, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. Seeing Sabrina standing there, with an expression full of longing, my heart felt tight. Her eyes searched for Charlie, and when she saw the child, her anxious face turned softer, as if a burden had been lifted. Charlie, who was sitting next to Hazel, heard the sound, and without hesitation shouted happily, "Mommy!" she exclaimed in a voice that almost broke, jumping up from her chair to run towards Sabrina. The atmosphere that had b
Sabrina's POVWhen Nicholas finished speaking, the atmosphere felt even more tense. I stood there, still hugging Charlie who seemed very happy to hug me back. However, Nicholas' words just now surprised me. He... defended me?My head was spinning, trying to process everything. Nicholas, who was usually full of coldness and sarcasm, was suddenly standing beside me as if I was something very precious. Gratitude and confusion mixed in my chest. Charlie, in my arms, seemed oblivious to the tension that filled the air around us."I can't believe you would say that," I whispered softly, though only to myself. Maybe this was all just an illusion. Maybe Nicholas was just pretending to distract from the real problem. However, his steady gaze showed no signs of being insincere. He really did it for me.Our surroundings began to feel darker. Whispered voices began to break the silence, flowing like the wind carrying bad news.My little heart tremble
Sabrina's POV Charlie giggled happily and immediately stuck the "flag" on top of his sand castle. "Done! This castle is for you, mommy," he said proudly. I was silent for a moment, feeling emotion flood my heart. "Thank you, honey. Mommy really likes the castle." I stroked his hair, which was already messy from playing. "Does Charlie know? Mommy loves Charlie very much." Charlie paused for a moment, looking at me with his round eyes. "I love you too, Mom. If you leave again, I'll be sad," he said innocently.Those words stabbed my heart like a knife. I tried to smile, even though it was hard. "Mommy won't leave again, honey," I promised. Although in my heart, I knew I didn't know how long I could survive this situation.Charlie smiled again, returning to his imaginary world. He began to decorate his castle with small leaves that he had collected around him. While I sat beside him, watching him lovingly, trying to capture every detail of th
Sabrina's POV After we were tired of playing, we sat on one of the park benches eating ice cream. Charlie chewed on the strawberry ice cream in his hand enthusiastically, while I sat next to him, occasionally taking a bite of my own chocolate ice cream. The cold air from the ice cream was refreshing, even though the atmosphere between Nicholas and I was far from relaxed. Nicholas sat across from us, eating his vanilla ice cream quietly, although I could see his eyes glancing at me every now and then. I tried to avoid eye contact, focusing on Charlie who was telling me about his school. "Mom, I drew a family picture at school!" he said cheerfully. "There's me, Mom, Dad... but I forgot to draw Mom Hazel," he said innocently. I was silent for a moment, trying to cover up the stinging feeling that suddenly crept into my chest. I just smiled thinly. "You must have drawn a really good picture. When it’s finished, Mommy wants to see it, okay?” Charlie nodded enthusiastically, then t
Sabrina's POVWhen I arrived home, the silence enveloped me as soon as I opened the door. The darkness of the room felt more depressing than usual as if the house was feeling my emotional exhaustion. I turned on the lights, hung my bag near the door, then took off my shoes in slow motion.Every corner of the room was so familiar, yet it felt empty. I walked towards the sofa and let myself fall on it, my tired body leaning back while my thoughts drifted back to Charlie. His image kept ringing, his innocent smile when I gave him the robot earlier, his cheerful laughter when we played, and his satisfied face after eating ice cream. It was all like a beautiful dream that ended too quickly.In that silence, the ticking sound of the wall clock seemed to be a reminder of the time that continued to pass, while I was trapped in memories. Charlie was the light in my life, a light that seemed like it would never go out. But now, all that was left was a shadow, and ev
Sabrina's POV Slowly, I put the photo back in its place. My body was getting weaker, and finally, I let my eyes close again. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but tonight, I can only survive by embracing my longing for Charlie, hoping that I am strong enough to keep fighting. In the silence of the night that permeated, the image of Charlie continued to haunt my mind. He had always been the light of my life, and without him, the darkness felt even thicker. With every passing second, the feeling of loss was like a cut in my heart. I remembered his cheerful laughter, the times we played in the park, and how he could always make me smile, even on the hardest days. Now, all that was left was a suffocating memory. These hands that were once filled with warmth now felt cold and empty. I gripped the blanket tightly, trying to find comfort in this pain. "Charlie, I promise I will keep fighting," I said to myself. "I will use every precious second you
Sabrina's POV With a deep breath, I resolved not to let myself sink any deeper. If not for myself, then maybe for Nicholas, who despite his strong appearance, also harbored deep worries. Wherever this path took me, I had to try to get up, at least to lessen the burden that I had been carrying for far too long. That morning, I woke up with a body that felt much heavier than usual. My body temperature was getting higher, my head was throbbing, and my throat was as dry as a desert. I felt cold sweat soaking my body, but I forced myself to sit up in bed. I glanced at the bedside table, where the glass I had used to drink from the night before lay. I glanced at it; it was empty. The burning thirst in my throat forced me to get up. With faltering steps, I tried to stand, but my knees immediately felt weak. I braced myself, grabbing the wall to support my body. It felt like every step was a struggle, but I knew I had to reach the kitchen. I pus
Sabrina's POVI slowly woke up with blurred vision. Bright white light pierced my eyes, making me squint. The familiar antiseptic smell invaded my senses, and I gradually realized that I was in a hospital.My head felt heavy, and my body weak as if all my energy had been drained. I tried to move my hands but could barely manage it. An IV line was attached to the back of my hand, leaving a sting every time I moved.In confusion, I tried to remember how I ended up here. Anxiety began to creep into my mind—what about Charlie? Was he okay?With great effort, I tried to calm myself and recall what had happened. Maybe this was an opportunity to recover, to become stronger again. I had to focus on healing, so I could continue to fight for Charlie.“Sabrina…”That deep voice made me turn, even though my neck felt stiff. There, sitting by my bedside, was Nicholas, looking at me with a worried expression. He looked tired; dark circles under his
Sabrina's POVBut how could I do that if I didn’t even have the right to be near him? Frustration crushed me, making me feel trapped in an unfair situation.I knew the love and care I wanted to give him couldn't just be taken.Suddenly, dizziness struck my head. Everything seemed to spin slowly, making me stagger. I held onto the edge of the table to keep my balance, but the sensation of nausea hit me instantly. I pressed my stomach, trying to suppress it, but it was in vain.I rushed to the bathroom, almost stumbling at the door. Once at the sink, I vomited, expelling everything from my stomach—or rather, almost nothing. I hadn’t eaten since morning, and now my body demanded attention.After a moment, I struggled to stand upright, my breath ragged. The accumulated fatigue and stress made me feel increasingly fragile. With difficulty, I washed my face, trying to return to a better state.Once finished, I looked at my reflection i
Sabrina's POVThat memory haunted my thoughts, making my heart feel heavy. I wanted to erase his pain, to provide the safety he needed. Seeing him distressed made me feel helpless, and I knew I had to do something.With renewed determination, I began planning the steps I could take. Perhaps there was a way to approach Hazel wisely, or seek help from others who could understand my situation. Whatever happened, I couldn't give up on Charlie. He deserved protection and love.I closed my eyes, trying to dispel the shadows, but instead, I remembered the beautiful moments we shared. Like the time we went to the playground, and he laughed joyfully on the swings. Or when he innocently asked, “Mommy Sabrina, why is the sky blue?” As if I had all the answers in the world.Each memory made my heart tremble. His smile, his joyful laughter—everything felt so precious. He brought unexpected happiness into my life, and I couldn't let him go.Yet, those beaut
Sabrina's POV I sat in the living room of my small apartment, looking at the cold cup of tea on the table. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window, casting soft shadows on the floor, but my mood was far from warm.My mind wandered to various disturbing things. Every second felt heavy, as if there were a burden that couldn't be lifted. Memories of the past swirled in my mind, reminding me of decisions made and paths taken. Although the beauty outside seemed calming, inside me, anxiety and loneliness took over.My mind kept turning, thinking about Charlie. Yesterday afternoon, he sat in front of me, smiling a little while enjoying the pancakes I made. I can even remember his voice when he said, "Mommy Sabrina, this is really delicious." Those words warmed my heart, even though I knew the word "Mommy" he said probably only came from comfort, not because he really thought of me as his mother.This fact creates a mixture of happiness and sa
Hazel's POV Charlie tried to push me away, and somehow that only fueled my anger further. Before I realized it, my hand struck his cheek. The slap wasn’t hard, but enough to make him go silent. His face turned red, and he stared at me with wide eyes. “Don’t you understand?! I am your mother!” I yelled, my voice trembling. Charlie held his cheek, starting to cry again, this time more heartbreakingly. His cries filled the room, making me feel like a villain in my own home. Guilt enveloped me, making me want to reach out and hug him, but I was trapped in my own emotions. Just then, my mother-in-law entered the room. “Hazel! What are you doing?!” she shouted. I flinched, realizing what I had just done. But I was too angry to feel remorse. “He won’t stop, Mom! He keeps calling that woman as if I don’t exist!” My mother-in-law stepped closer, pulling my hand away from Charlie. “You cannot hit him, H
Hazel's POV My mother-in-law nodded slowly, but her eyes still radiated the same determination. “And you are right to think that. You are his mother, Hazel. No one can replace that. Sabrina has no rights over Charlie.”I slammed the glass down on the table, the sound ringing in the room. “Then we have to stop this, Mom. We can’t let Sabrina keep being around Charlie. She’ll just ruin our relationship.”Mom smiled slightly, but there was a sharp tone in her voice when she spoke. “Don’t worry, Hazel. I’m on your side. We’ll make sure that woman can’t get near Charlie anymore.”I looked at her, feeling a spark of confidence beginning to grow within me. Mom’s support made me feel stronger, more ready to face Sabrina.But just then, Charlie’s crying echoed from upstairs again. His sobs of sorrow weighed heavily on my heart, even though I knew I was doing this for his sake.His pain reminded me of how important my presence was in his
Hazel's POV As I pondered, I tried to find a way out of this situation. Charlie needed support, and I couldn’t let my emotions get in the way of helping that child. However, the pain and frustration still haunted my thoughts, making me feel trapped in uncertainty.“You know what annoys me the most, Mom?” I turned to her, who was now standing at the kitchen door, her face full of regret. “It’s not just that you let Charlie run away, but that woman keeps ruining my life!”My mother-in-law didn’t respond, only lowered her gaze, her hands nervously clasped. Her expression showed how heavy the burden she felt was, and it made me hesitate a little. Yet, the anger and frustration bubbling inside me were hard to quell.I felt a mix of emotions—wanting to unleash everything I felt and wanting to give a chance to fix things. Each second that passed strengthened my conviction that I needed to speak, even if it was painful.“From the start, I knew
Hazel's POVI stood outside Charlie's room, breathless, my hands shaking. The sound of his sobs from behind the door pressed down on my mind like an unbearable weight.Each scream and whimper seemed to call to me, inviting deeper anxiety. I knew I should go in and comfort him, but fear and doubt held me back. What could I say to make him feel better?“Charlie, stop!” I shouted sharply, trying to control my anger. But his cries only grew louder, making my head throb.I rubbed my face roughly, then slammed my palm against the door. “I said stop crying, Charlie!”Frustration and despair flooded me. I knew yelling wouldn’t help, but the overwhelming emotions made it hard to think clearly. Each scream from Charlie felt like a knife stabbing, adding to the heavy burden on my shoulders.Yet nothing changed. I could hear his desperate sobs, full of sadness, calling out Sabrina’s name. That name. The name that constantly haunted me, like
Nicholas’s POV Seeing that change in him made my heart heavy. I wanted to see him happy and hoped today could be a special moment for him. I tried to think of a way to cheer him up, ensuring he felt loved and cared for.I took a deep breath, trying to choose the right words. I turned back to look at him. “Mommy Sabrina is resting, sweetheart. She really wishes she could be here, but she needs some time to recover.”Charlie looked at me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Really, Daddy? We’re really going to see Mommy Sabrina?”I smiled and nodded. “Of course. After lunch, we’ll go there.”Joy immediately returned to his face. “Yay!” he cheered, bouncing in his seat, even though he was still strapped in.Sabrina would be waiting for us at home, and I knew Charlie couldn’t wait to see her. That made me even more determined to do my best to keep this relationship intact, no matter how challenging it might be.For Sabrina. For Charli