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 CharliHazel'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 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 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 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
Nicholas's POV I felt my urge to fight for Sabrina's rights grow stronger, and I knew I had to do everything I could to support both of them in this difficult situation. "Second," Rudi continued, "the stability of the environment. If the biological mother suddenly reappears and wants to take custody, she must prove that the change will not harm the child." I sighed. "But Hazel might use the fact that she is the biological mother." "True." Rudi looked at me intently. "But you can prove that for five years, it has been Sabrina who has cared for him. And if Charlie is old enough to speak, the court may consider his wishes." I fell silent, processing all this information. "So, what do you want to do, Nicholas?" Rudi asked quietly. I raised my face and looked at him. "I want to know, if I take this to legal proceedings, is there a significant chance that Charlie will stay with Sabrina?" Rudi nodded. "There is a possibility, if you have sufficient evidence." I breathe
Nicholas's POV From where I stood, I could see her walking into the room, disappearing behind the door. The atmosphere around her house seemed calm, with sunlight streaming through the windows, creating a warm ambiance.After a few seconds, I took a deep breath and walked back to the car. But as I reached for the door handle, I glanced back at the house once more.I didn’t know when it started, but lately, something felt different. It was as if something within me was beginning to change. Something that made me want to keep ensuring that Sabrina and Charlie were okay.This feeling was so strong, as if they had become an important part of my life. I felt more connected to them than ever, and that sense of responsibility was growing within me. Every time I saw Sabrina, I saw not just a friend, but also a struggling mother, and I wanted to make sure she wasn’t facing everything alone.I sighed, trying to gather my thoughts before getting into th
Nicholas's POV After dropping Charlie off at school and watching him enter the gate happily, I sighed in relief. I waved goodbye before turning to Sabrina, who stood beside me. She seemed to smile, but there was a hint of fatigue on her face.I could feel how exhausting yesterday had been for both of us. The happy moments with Charlie had indeed drained our energy, but seeing his smile made it all worthwhile. Sabrina took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weariness that was evident on her face.We walked slowly away from the school, enjoying the morning silence. The fresh air brought a bit of new energy, and I hoped today would give us a chance to relax. We both knew that despite the fatigue, this time together was the most precious thing.“Come on, let me give you a ride home,” I said while opening the car door for her.Sabrina gently shook her head. “I can go home by myself, Nicholas. You might be late for the office.”
Sabrina's POV Upon entering the room, I immediately sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling slowly. Nicholas grabbed a glass of water and took medication from the drawer, then handed it to me. "Drink this, and then you can go straight to sleep."I accepted it without much protest. After swallowing the medication, I looked back at Nicholas, who was still standing in front of me with a worried expression."I'll take care of Charlie," he said, as if answering a question I hadn't asked. "You don’t need to worry. Sleep, I promise everything will be alright."I nodded slowly. "Thank you, Nicholas."Nicholas smiled slightly, then pulled the blanket over me. "Rest. I’ll wake you up later for lunch."I merely murmured a quiet response. My body felt even more tired after lying down, and slowly my eyes began to close.Before I completely fell asleep, I heard the sound of Charlie's tiny footsteps approaching. "Mom, have a good rest."
Sabrina's POV When we reached the car, Charlie carefully placed Titan in the back seat, as if the robot were a special passenger. The ride home felt even cheerier with Titan's presence, a symbol of a day filled with happiness and precious moments we shared as a family.During the drive home, Charlie sat in the back seat with his robot in his lap. His eyes sparkled as he played with the robot's arms, as if imagining an epic battle between Titan and its enemies. Every time he moved Titan's arm, he narrated imaginative adventure stories.“Titan will fight a giant monster!” he exclaimed, his excitement unmatched. “He will protect the city from destruction!” His vivid storytelling made me smile.Nicholas, who was sitting in front, occasionally turned around and laughed at Charlie's imagination. “You have to be careful, Charlie. The monster can come at any time!” he said, adding excitement to the story.Charlie nodded seriously, as if he were truly
Sabrina's POV I decided to take over and give it a few tries myself. With hope, I directed the claw towards the panda, but the results were still the same. Every time the claw missed its target, I sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. It felt like an endless challenge, and I really wanted to see a smile on Charlie's face.Nicholas stepped closer, encouraging Charlie. “Don’t worry, Charlie. We can try again! Maybe we just need one more attempt.”Charlie nodded, though his expression still showed disappointment. I felt how important that panda was to him, and I didn’t want to give up just yet. We both kept trying, occasionally changing our strategy, but every time the claw reached for the toy, the outcome was the same.With unwavering determination, we gave it one last shot. I carefully directed the claw, praying in my heart that this time it would work. As the claw began to close, my hopes soared, but unfortunately, the panda remained in its place.
Sabrina's POV After finishing our shopping, as we walked past the stores, Charlie suddenly pulled my hand excitedly. "Mom, Dad, can we play first? Look, there's Timezone!" he said, pointing to the arcade area in the corner of the mall. I glanced at Nicholas, seeking his approval. Nicholas just smiled slightly and shrugged. "Why not? We still have time." Charlie immediately cheered and pulled us both toward the arcade. I laughed at his enthusiasm, while Nicholas just shook his head, smiling. Seeing Charlie so excited made my heart flutter. Moments like this are what I always wanted—sharing happiness and joy as a family. Once inside, the loud sounds from various game machines filled our ears. The laughter of children and the sound of falling coins created an atmosphere full of energy and cheer. Charlie jumped up and down, his eyes sparkling as he saw all the colorful games. He ran toward the most eye-catching machine, as if all the games were calling him. Nicholas and I followed be
Sabrina's POV I run toward the yard, flinging open the front door, hoping to find her standing there. But there is no one. My chest tightens further. My eyes begin to burn. No. This can’t be happening. “Charlie!” I scream at the top of my lungs, my voice rising in panic. Tears are falling before I can hold them back. I bite my lip, my body beginning to shake violently. It feels like the entire world around me is collapsing in an instant. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I’ve lost Charlie. My hands grip my chest, which feels painful, my head spinning with terrible thoughts. I sob, my knees finally giving way, and I fall to the floor, shaking uncontrollably. “Charlie... where are you?” I whisper through my sobs, a desperate voice barely audible even to myself. I cry uncontrollably, feeling a fear I’ve never experienced before. I’m still sobbing on the floor, my body trembling uncontrollably. My breath is ragged, my chest feels so tight. The fear grips me tightly, as if shatte
Sabrina's POV Nicholas sat beside me, and his presence provided an invaluable sense of security. We shared a moment of silence, listening to the soothing sounds of nature. The gentle wind and rustling leaves created a harmonious melody, adding to the peace of this night. I reflected on all the efforts and struggles we had faced. Each step felt heavy, but tonight, it all seemed worthwhile. With Nicholas by my side, I felt strengthened and supported. He was always there, a light in the darkness, and I felt grateful for his presence. As I gazed at the sky, I envisioned a bright future. I knew many challenges awaited, but tonight, I felt ready to face them all. The love and support we had gave me the strength to move forward, and I no longer felt alone. “Sleep, you must be tired,” Nicholas said. I nodded and left the room. I lay down next to Charlie, pulling the blanket up to cover his small