Sabrina's POV
Nicholas looked surprised when his phone suddenly vibrated. From where I lay, I saw him staring at his phone screen with an expression that was hard to decipher. There was a mix of worry and confusion on his face.My mind wandered. What was happening outside this room? Was there bad news? I hoped it wasn’t news that would stress Nicholas out even more. He had already endured so much, and I didn’t want him to feel even more burdened.I noticed that Nicholas didn’t pick up his phone. Deep in my heart, I hoped he could find the strength to stay strong like he always did for me.“Why didn’t you pick up?” I asked, my voice weak, but enough to make him turn to me.He shook his head slowly. “It’s nothing important,” he said simply, trying to hide something behind his tone. But I knew there was something wrong.“Just pick up,” I insisted, even though my body was still weak. “It might be important.”NicholasSabrina's POV Nicholas looked at me immediately, as if he was just waiting for his name to come back to my side. “What? Do you need something?” he asked quickly. I shook my head slowly. “No. I just…” I paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. “I never thought you’d be this worried.” He looked surprised, then took a deep breath. “How could I not be worried, Sabrina?” he replied in a low but emotional tone. “You were so sick, and I didn’t know anything. You even missed your medication. How could you think I wouldn’t care?” His words were like a slap to me. I knew he was right. All this time, I had always thought that our marriage was just a formality, something that didn't involve deep feelings. But seeing Nicholas like this, I realized that I had underestimated him. He wasn't just my husband on paper; he was someone who loved and fought for me. Every beat of his heart, every worried look, showed how deep our bond was, even tho
Sabrina’s POVNicholas pulled his chair closer to my bed. His face was serious, but there was no sign of anger or irritation. There was only sadness in his eyes. He raised his hand as if he wanted to take mine but hesitated.“I just want to know how you feel,” he said softly. His voice was soft as if he was afraid of hurting.I stared at him, trying to absorb every word that came out of his mouth. “I… don’t know,” I answered honestly. “There’s so much going on.”Nicholas sighed, nodding slowly. “We can talk about it. I’m here for you.”His words warmed my heart, and though the pain I felt was still there, his presence provided some comfort.“Sabrina, listen to me,” he said in a soft but firm tone. “I know I’m not perfect. I know I haven’t been paying attention to you as much as I should have. But don’t ever think that I’m here because I have to. I choose to be here. For you.”His words brought tears to my eyes again. I
Sabrina’s POV“Every day, I woke up alone. I made breakfast that you often didn’t have time to eat. I waited until late at night for you to come home, only to hear your footsteps enter the room without a word. I tried to hold on, Nicholas. Because I knew you were Charlie’s father and I loved him more than anything.” My voice cracked as I said Charlie’s name. Nicholas looked surprised, but he didn’t say anything. “Charlie was the reason I held on,” I continued, my voice shaking. “He was my happiness. Seeing his smile and hearing his laugh made all the loneliness lessen. But then… Hazel came along.” Nicholas looked tense as I said the name, but I didn’t care. I had to say it all. “When Hazel came along, everything changed. You’re growing apart, Nicholas. And the worst part is that Charlie is slowly drifting away from me. I feel like I’m losing everything. You’re busy with Hazel, with your job, and Charlie… he spends more time with her
Nicholas's POV I remembered the little moments I had missed—the times when she needed someone to listen, to share a story, or even just to sit with her in silence. Why hadn’t I seen that before? One by one, the memories came flooding back. Sabrina’s cheerful laugh, her smile that always made me feel at ease—it all felt gone now. I wanted to run back to her room, hug her, and apologize. But I knew I had to do more than that.With renewed determination, I took a deep breath. ‘I have to fix this,’ I thought. Maybe the first step would be to reach out to her sincerely, ask her how she felt, and really listen.I had to show her that I was there for her, not just as a provider, but as a loyal friend and listener. If not now, when?The image of Sabrina’s face as she cried came back to me. I had never seen her so broken before. The Sabrina I had always known to be strong, always patient, turned out to have so many wounds that I had ignored.
Nicholas's POV My head leaned back against the wall, the phone still clutched tightly in my hand. It felt like two worlds were colliding in my life. On one hand, there was Sabrina who needed me more than ever, struggling with grief and uncertainty. On the other, there was Hazel, who continued to demand attention and support for herself and Charlie. Every second felt heavy, like a choice between two hearts that loved each other. I knew that Sabrina was my top priority; she was my wife. But on the other hand, Hazel was struggling too, and I felt responsible for being there for her because of Charlie. “This isn’t fair,” I whispered to myself, feeling the weight on my shoulders grow heavier. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to find clarity amidst the chaos. What should I do? How do I deal with the guilt that was gripping me? I knew that I had to choose wisely, but my heart and mind seemed to be fighting silently. This decision wasn’t just abo
Nicholas’ POVI took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before speaking again. “Hazel, I understand you’re worried about Charlie. But you don’t know what’s really going on with Sabrina. She’s sick, very sick, and I… I didn’t even realize it until now. If you had a shred of heart, you’d understand why I had to be there for her.”“So what does that mean? You want to choose her over me and Charlie?” Her voice trailed off, but I knew her question held a threat.I stared at her deeply, trying to find the right words. “I’m not choosing anyone. I just want to make things right. For Charlie, for Sabrina, for all of us.”Hazel chuckled, bitterly. “Do you think that’s possible? Nicholas, you’re too naive. Don’t expect me to let Charlie near Sabrina again.”My anger was rising, but I chose not to retaliate. Instead, I said softly but firmly, “Hazel, this isn’t about you or me. This is about Charlie and what’s best for
Nicholas's POV I lowered my head, looking at Hazel firmly. “Hazel, enough. This isn’t about you or me. This is about Charlie. He wants to see his mother, and I won’t stop him.”“She doesn’t know what’s best for him!” Hazel replied in a shrill voice. “Are you really going to take this child to a woman who can’t even take care of herself?”The argument was getting more heated, but Charlie’s cries finally stopped everything. He cried loudly, hugging my legs tightly. “Daddy, Mommy Hazel, don’t fight!”Seeing him like that, I felt an indescribable pain. I bent down, lifted Charlie into my arms, and stroked him gently. “Daddy won’t fight anymore, son. I’m sorry.”I glanced at Hazel, signaling that I wouldn’t back down. “I’ll take Charlie. We can talk later.”Hazel looked like she wanted to fight, but she finally chose to remain silent, even though her face was full of anger. Without waiting any longer, I carried Charlie out
Nicholas's POV When the light turned green, I continued on my way cautiously, promising myself to pay more attention, both on the road and in my life. Charlie deserved a good experience, and I would do my best to keep it that way. I followed his gaze, looking to see what had caught his attention. He pointed to a small flower shop on the corner, with a pastel-colored sign and a display case full of fresh flowers. “Daddy, let’s buy some flowers for Mommy Sabrina, okay?” Charlie exclaimed excitedly. I paused, a little surprised by his request. Buying flowers for Sabrina was something I had never thought of before. But seeing Charlie’s enthusiastic smile, I couldn’t refuse. “Okay, honey. Let’s buy some flowers first,” I replied, trying to smile even though my heart was still heavy.We parked in front of the store and went inside. The scent of fresh flowers immediately greeted me, bringing a little sense of calm to my chaotic thought
Nicholas's POV “I... I’m in a hurry,” I replied, my breath heavy as I tried to remain calm despite feeling dizzy. “I need to get to the hospital. I’m sorry.”My head throbbed, and the pain made it hard to focus. But all I could think about was Sabrina. I tried not to panic, even though the situation was getting worse.People began to gather around, some pulling out their phones to call for help. The sound of sirens could be heard in the distance, adding to the tension in my heart. I knew I had to handle this situation as quickly as possible, but uncertainty gnawed at my mind.The man stared at me, confused. “In a hurry? Sir, you’re bleeding! Your head is hurt! You need to get checked out.”“No... not now,” I insisted stubbornly, trying to hold back the pain that was becoming more intrusive. “Is your car badly damaged?”He shook his head, though he looked annoyed. “Not too much. But you really need to take care of yourself.”
Nicholas's POVThe phone call came while I was buried in a pile of paperwork at my desk. The voice of the doctor from the hospital sounded firm yet heavy, informing me that Sabrina's condition was getting critical. That sentence struck me like lightning to the chest.My hand trembled as I held the phone, struggling to find the words. My heart raced, and my mind drifted to the beautiful moments we had shared together. Every laugh, every touch—everything felt so precious, and now it all depended on a thread of hope."Mr. Nicholas, can you hear me?" the nurse's voice interrupted the silence."Yes, yes, I can hear," I replied, my voice slightly hoarse. "How... how is she doing now?"The nurse explained calmly, but every word felt like a weight pressing down on my chest. She told me about the procedures being carried out, about the medical team's efforts to stabilize Sabrina's condition. It was hard to accept the reality that the person I love
Hazel's POV I took a deep breath again, trying to remain patient amidst Charlie's endless whining. It felt difficult to face his emotional outbursts while my own heart struggled with a mix of guilt and worry.“Charlie, Mommy understands. This is hard,” I said gently, pulling him closer. “But we have to trust the doctors and hope for the best for Mommy Sabrina.”He looked at me with tear-filled eyes, and I could feel the depth of his loss. In my heart, I prayed for a way to help Charlie through all of this, even when everything felt so heavy.Gently, I stroked his hair, trying to provide the comfort he needed. We would go through this together, even if the road was rocky and full of obstacles.“I want Mommy Sabrina, Mom! I want to see Mommy Sabrina!” he cried, tugging at my hand.I looked around, hoping not too many people were watching us. However, his cries were enough to attract the attention of several people waiting in the w
Hazel's POV I took a deep breath. It felt pointless to try to talk to him while he was like this. Finally, I decided to take action. I stood up, carrying Charlie, who was still sniffling, and walked toward the receptionist."Excuse me," I said to the woman behind the desk. The middle-aged woman looked at me with a small smile, though it was clear she noticed Charlie's tear-stained face.I could feel the attention of those around us, but I tried not to care. The most important thing right now was Charlie. I wanted to ensure he felt safe and comfortable, even in the midst of his emotional turmoil."Is there anything I can help you with, ma'am?" she asked in a friendly tone.I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice calm. "I want to inquire about a patient. Her name is Sabrina."The receptionist nodded, her eyes studying my face before she responded. I could sense the tension in the air, and Charlie was still gripping my shirt tigh
Hazel's POV Each sob and call from Charlie reminded me of the helplessness we felt. I prayed we would soon find hope regarding Sabrina's condition."Charlie, sweetheart, listen to Mommy," I said again, trying to be gentler. "Mommy Sabrina can't meet you right now. She needs to rest so she can get better."Charlie shook her head vigorously, her face reddening from crying too long. "I want Mommy Sabrina!" she said again, her voice almost hoarse.Seeing her like that, my heart ached even more. I knew how deep her love and hope for Sabrina were. I struggled to hold back tears, praying that I could provide solace even though I felt fragile myself."Charlie," I said, trying to affirm, "Mommy Sabrina wants you to be healthy and happy. She would be glad to hear that you love her."I hoped my words might slightly redirect her attention and help her understand that all of this was for Sabrina's good."But, Mommy..." Charlie's wor
Hazel's POVI sat with Charlie in the hospital waiting room, waiting for our turn to be called. The atmosphere around us was calm, although there were a few other patients also waiting. Charlie looked relaxed, swinging his legs that dangled from the chair.I felt relieved that his crying had subsided, and he seemed to be starting to forget about the earlier incident. Seeing him cheerful again lightened my heart. Occasionally, I stole glances at the wall clock, counting the passing time.In my mind, I hoped everything would be alright. Charlie could often be sensitive, but right now, he seemed stronger. I tried to cheer him up by talking about fun things, hoping to divert his attention from the situation that made him anxious.However, suddenly Charlie stood up from his chair quickly, startling me."Mommy Sabrina!" he shouted loudly.I froze for a moment, not believing what I had just heard. My head quickly turned in the dire
Hazel's POV "Your child pushed my son down and hurt him!" I shouted, pointing at Charlie, who was still crying in place.The woman frowned, looking at her child. "Is that true? Did you really push your friend?" she asked gently.The boy remained silent, his face showing guilt. I could feel the tension in the air. Although I was angry, I knew this was an important moment to teach about responsibility and empathy. I hoped everyone involved could learn a valuable lesson from this incident.Then the boy shook his head. "No, Ma! I didn't mean to!" he replied quietly."Didn't mean to? That's impossible! I saw it with my own eyes!" I retorted loudly. "Your child clearly pushed Charlie and made him fall! His knee is bleeding!"The atmosphere grew more tense. Several teachers began to approach, trying to mediate the situation. The woman's face showed confusion and worry, while her son looked increasingly frightened. In my heart, I hoped
Hazel's POV That support gave me an extra boost. I felt more confident that my plan could succeed. With a well-thought-out strategy and full attention to Charlie, I was determined to create a positive environment and strengthen our bond."Exactly, Mom. This isn't just about winning Charlie's heart. It's about making sure Sabrina knows her place. She’s nobody. She's just a stepmother trying to take something that isn’t hers."The strength of my statement gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I realized that my struggle was more than just building a relationship with Charlie; it was also about maintaining my position and role in his life.With firm determination, I planned my next steps. Every interaction with Charlie would be filled with care, ensuring that he felt loved and safe while I kept my distance from Sabrina. In my mind, all of this was part of a larger strategy to protect what I loved.Mrs. Rosa gently patted my shoulder, as if gi
Hazel's POVWith a satisfied smile, I brought the plate to the dining table and set it in front of Charlie.His face instantly lit up at the sight of the beautifully presented pancakes. He immediately reached out his hands, ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast. This moment felt perfect, filling our morning with happiness and love."Ta-daa! Here are the special pancakes for the Bubble King," I said cheerfully.Charlie clapped his small hands, his eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Mommy!"The joy on his face warmed my heart. He quickly grabbed his spoon and began to devour the pancakes eagerly. Each bite added to his smile, and I felt blissful watching him enjoy the breakfast I had prepared. This simple moment became one of the highlights of our day.I sat across from him, took a small fork, and began to feed him pancakes. "How does it taste?" I asked with a wide smile."Very good, Mommy!" he replied with his mouth full.