Nicholas's POV
I started the car engine, checking the rearview mirror to ensure Charlie was comfortably seated in the back with his seatbelt fastened.“Dad,” Charlie's voice broke the silence. I glanced at the mirror, noticing his innocent face filled with curiosity.“Where's Mom Sabrina? Why isn’t she coming with us?”Taking a deep breath, I tried to formulate an answer that would comfort Charlie without adding to his worries. Guilt washed over me, but I was determined to keep my son in a cheerful mood.I paused for a moment, trying to choose my words carefully. I knew how much Charlie missed Sabrina, but I didn’t want to complicate things further with Hazel.She sat next to me, and Hazel's expression darkened as soon as Sabrina's name was mentioned. I took a deep breath, attempting to string together simple words that would adequately explain to Charlie.Anxiety began to weigh on my heart, but I knew this was impoNicholas’s POVHazel continued to stare at me, as if waiting for my response. Deep inside, I was determined to keep communication open, not just for Charlie’s sake, but to find a way out of this conflict. But at that moment, all I could do was nod, trying to process her words and think about the next steps.I sighed deeply, starting the engine without responding to her. The sound of the engine filled the silence in the car, but the tension still hung between us.“This isn’t about you or Sabrina, Hazel,” I finally said, my voice low but firm. “This is about Charlie. I will always do what’s best for him, and that includes letting him see the people who make him happy.”Hazel fell silent, but the expression on her face showed that she wasn’t entirely in agreement. I could feel the uncertainty surrounding the situation, but I knew I had to stick to my principles. Charlie deserved to feel love from everyone who cared for him, and that included Sabrina.
Nicholas’s POVI drove in silence, my jaw tightening as thoughts spun in my head. Hazel sat beside me with her arms still crossed, her face angry yet somewhat uncertain.I didn’t know what she was planning, but I knew she wasn’t finished. The tension in the car felt increasingly heavy, and I could sense the emotions clashing between us. On one hand, I was determined to protect Charlie; on the other, I had to face the challenges posed by Hazel.Every passing second felt like a growing burden, and I knew the decisions ahead wouldn’t be easy. Yet, in my heart, I promised to fight for Charlie’s happiness, regardless of all the complexities involved.“Stop here,” she suddenly said, her voice flat but firm.I glanced over, seeing her point to the side of the road near a small bus stop. The place was isolated, with only a few small shops and a quiet street.“Are you serious?” I asked, my tone revealing my irritation. It felt like someth
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
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
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 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 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
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
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