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 Charlie jumped out of the car as soon as I opened the door. He held the yellow lilies we had bought tightly, protecting them as if they were his most precious treasure. I could only follow his small, hurried steps towards Sabrina’s room.“Slow down, Charlie!” I called, but he only glanced back briefly before continuing his run.We arrived in front of Sabrina’s door. I reached for the doorknob to open it, but Charlie was faster. He pushed the door open enthusiastically and then ran inside. “Mommy Sabrina!” he called, his voice full of happiness. On the bed, Sabrina, who had previously been leaning with her eyes closed, looked surprised. She opened her eyes wide, looking confused for a moment before realizing who had just called her. “Charlie…” she whispered, her voice shaking. Charlie jumped onto the bed, immediately hugging Sabrina tightly. His small arms wrapped around Sabrina’s still-weak body. Sabrina
Sabrina’s POVSeeing Charlie sitting beside my bed excitedly, his face full of smiles gave me an energy I never thought I had. I opened his favorite storybook and began reading. My voice might not be as strong as usual, but I tried to make the story sound as interesting as possible for Charlie.The story began with the adventures of a brave little hero, and I could see Charlie’s eyes light up with enthusiasm. Every time I described an exciting moment, he became absorbed in the story, as if he were part of the world.When I reached the part where our hero faced a great challenge, Charlie bit his lip, waiting anxiously. “Will he succeed?” he asked, his voice full of curiosity. I smiled, feeling the warmth of his excitement.With every sentence I spoke, I felt like I was reliving a fond memory between us. When the story ended happily, I closed the book gently, and Charlie clapped his hands together, his face glowing with joy.Charlie laughed
Sabrina’s POV With Charlie in our midst, I knew that this togetherness was a small step towards recovery—both physical and emotional—for all of us. Charlie eagerly opened his bag of chips and then fed me. “Mommy, open your mouth!” he said, as if I had no other choice. I followed his instructions and pretended to chew excessively, making Charlie burst out laughing. His laughter filled the room, making everything feel much lighter. Nicholas finally smiled a little, seeing Charlie’s cheerfulness and my excessive behavior. The moment seemed to melt the tense atmosphere that had been there, and I felt the weight on my chest lighten a little. “Charlie, you have to eat by yourself too, you know. Not all of it for Mom.”“Dad wants some too?” Charlie asked with sparkling eyes.Nicholas nodded. “If Charlie gives it to me, Dad will.”Charlie took another chip and handed it to Nicholas. “But Dad has to say ‘Aaaa’ firs
Sabrina's POVI swallowed, my heart clenching at his request. I wanted to say yes so badly, but I knew it was impossible. “Honey,” I whispered, stroking his hair. “You have to come home with Daddy. You have school tomorrow, and I want you to be a good boy.” “But…” His voice cracked, and his eyes started to fill with tears. “I don’t want to go home, Mommy. I want to be with you.” I tried to hold back my own tears. I didn’t want him to see me sad. “Listen, Charlie,” I said softly. “After school tomorrow, Daddy will bring you back here. We can play again, and Mommy promises to read you another story.”Charlie looked at me hesitantly, his lips pursed sadly. “Promise?”I smiled and nodded. “Promise, honey.”Nicholas stepped closer, placing his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Mommy’s right, Charlie. We’ll come back here after school tomorrow.”Charlie finally nodded slightly, though his face was still pouting. He hugged me tightly
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