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 outNicholas'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 POV One step at a time, I tried to strengthen myself. Today was part of the struggle, and I knew that I had to fight for Charlie, for a brighter future. Nicholas helped me sit on the chair prepared for patients. The nurse came with a gentle smile, making sure everything was ready. Meanwhile, Nicholas took the chair next to me, only a few inches away. He didn't speak, but his presence was enough to make me feel a little stronger.As the IV needle began to penetrate my skin, I winced slightly. Nicholas saw it and instinctively reached out as if wanting to hold me but hesitant. I noticed it and looked at him briefly. "I'm okay," I said softly, even though it wasn't entirely true. He nodded but said nothing. I could see his jaw tighten, and his gaze never left my face, as if making sure I was really okay. Time seemed to slow down. Every drop of fluid from the IV bag seemed to move at an excruciating speed. My body began to feel
Sabrina's POVToday is the day I've been waiting for. The doctor finally allowed me to go home after undergoing chemotherapy and treatment for the past few days. Although my body is still weak, I feel relieved to be able to return home. It feels like being given a little freedom after being locked up for so long.Nicholas was busy taking care of the paperwork for my return outside the room. The sound of his footsteps approaching made me turn towards the door. He entered with a small smile that I had rarely seen lately, carrying a plastic bag filled with medicines and documents.The warmth of his smile gave me encouragement. In my heart, I was grateful for his support so far. As he placed the bag on the table, I felt new hope. Today was the beginning of my recovery journey, and although there were challenges ahead, I was ready to face them."Everything is ready. We can go home right away," he said, his tone soft but firm.I smiled slightly
Sabrina's POVWith a smile on my face, I let myself sink into gratitude. Soon, I felt my eyes begin to close, allowing myself to drift into a peaceful sleep that would hopefully bring recovery. The sound of Nicholas’ footsteps approaching from the kitchen interrupted my thoughts. I opened my eyes and saw him carrying a large tray of food and snacks. My face immediately filled with wonder. Nicholas smiled, showing pride in what he had prepared. On the tray were various dishes—fresh fruit, sandwiches, and a few sweet treats. The aroma wafted by made my stomach rumble, even though the nausea still gripped me. “These are all for you,” he said, placing the tray on the front table. “I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to recover.” Seeing the care and effort he had put in made me feel touched. This small moment, amidst all the hardships, gave me a much-needed sense of warmth. Even though my body was tired, my heart was fille
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