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 giHazel'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 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 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 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 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
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
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 POV I nodded, though it was hard to accept this reality. “Thank you, Doc.” "I want to see her," I finally said. “Right now, she’s not conscious. You can wait outside the ICU.” I nodded slowly, feeling my body grow weaker. With heavy steps, I approached the closed ICU door. Behind that door, Sabrina was fighting for her life. Anxiety gnawed at my heart. The monotonous sound of machines added tension to the air. I stood outside, feeling how silent the world around me was. Every heartbeat was focused on one hope: to see her rise again. Trying to calm myself, I sat on the provided bench. The morning sun streaming through the window lent a bit of warmth, but it couldn't dispel the cold creeping into my soul. All the memories with her spun in my mind, and I prayed that she knew how many people loved her, including me. I walked out of the ICU with mixed thoughts. The air in
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