Nicholas's POV
The atmosphere grew tenser, and more people began to notice us closely. I felt my heart racing, struggling to contain the overflowing emotions. Charlie in my arms looked bewildered, and I wanted to shield him from this confrontation. Hazel looked taken aback by my words, but the anger on her face didn't wane. "You have no right to control my life or judge me," she said, her voice trembling. "This isn't about you or me," I replied, trying to maintain my tone. "This is about Charlie and Sabrina. We should unite for them, not fight.”Hazel's expression changed, but she quickly covered her anxiety with a defensive stance. "I don't care. All I know is that I am Charlie's biological mother, and I have rights to him."Charlie, who seemed to start understanding the tension between us, clung to my neck tighter. "Daddy, don't be mad at Mommy Hazel," he said in a small voice.Hearing Charlie's gentle voice made myNicholas's POVI watched Charlie, who was now tightly clinging to Hazel's side, holding her hand as if he didn't want to let go. I was at a loss for words. Seeing them like that made my heart feel heavy.There was no point in pushing this argument in front of our child. Whatever happened, it was already confusing and hurting him. I recalled the happy moments when we were all together and how difficult it was to see this rift.“Charlie, sweetheart, everything will be alright,” I said gently, trying to ease the atmosphere.Hazel looked at me with hopeful eyes, as if asking us to resolve this without adding to Charlie's burden. I knew we had to find a way to talk and resolve our issues without involving our child.Hazel hugged Charlie and said softly, “Come on, sweetheart, let’s go home. Mama will make your favorite food at home.”Charlie nodded slightly and then turned to me. “Papa, I want to go home with Mama Hazel,” he said quiet
Nicholas's POV Hazel stayed by my side, gripping my arm tightly as if to ensure I wouldn’t go anywhere. Amidst the chaos, I tried to remain calm, hoping that everything would improve soon."This is all because you're so stubborn!" she complained, pushing my wheelchair towards the ER."Look at what happened now! Charlie is scared!"As Hazel spoke, I felt the emotional burden from the car shift to this situation. The guilt weighed heavier as I saw Charlie still crying in the back, his face filled with worry.Hazel pushed the wheelchair quickly, and I could sense the tension between us. Even though I knew she was worried, her tone made me feel worse. In my heart, I promised to be more careful in the future and not neglect my own health.I turned to Charlie, who was now holding Hazel's hand with a worried expression."Dad is okay, sweetheart," I said softly, though my voice sounded weak.However, Hazel didn’t give
Nicholas's POV Seeing the concern on his face made me more determined to recover. In that moment, I realized how important my health was for him and how much love he had for me. Hazel watched us with a warm smile, as if sensing the peace that was beginning to return. Gratitude filled my heart, and I was determined to follow the doctor’s advice for the well-being of Charlie and Hazel. This small moment brought new hope amid the tension we had experienced. Seeing Charlie so worried warmed my heart. But behind all of this, I knew the real issues weren't resolved. Hazel was still hiding something, and I had to find out what she had really told Charlie. However, for now, I needed to focus on my health and make sure I could stay by Charlie's side. The anxiety lingered in my mind, but I tried to push it away for the time being. Remembering how important my role was for Charlie and Hazel, I was determined to follow all t
Nicholas's POV As I looked at her, I hoped to convey my support without words, wishing she could feel it. "What everything?" She narrowed her eyes, her tone full of suspicion. "Charlie, you, Sabrina... everything." I swallowed, trying to choose the right words. "I just feel... all of this is too heavy to bear.”Hazel snorted softly, but I caught a glimpse of a change in her expression. She looked a bit softer. "You just realized that now? Life has always been heavy, Nicholas. But we have to keep moving, no matter what happens."I looked deeply into her eyes. "And that's what you're doing, Hazel? Just keep moving?"She fell silent, as if my question stunned her. Then she turned her gaze back to the window, her voice softening. "I have no other choice. I have Charlie. I have to be strong for him."Her words silenced me. For the first time in a long while, I could see Hazel not as an enemy or someone always cha
Nicholas's POVI stared at her intently, trying to find answers in her face. But Hazel seemed confident in what she was saying.I knew Hazel always had her way of steering situations to her liking, but this time I couldn't fully accuse her. After all, I wasn't there when all this happened.There was something in her demeanor that made me hesitant to argue further. Maybe she was right; perhaps there were things I didn't know, reasons behind her actions that had frustrated me. In this silence, I felt the vulnerability between us, and for the first time, I wanted to listen—not just to judge, but to understand."I'm not accusing you, Hazel," I finally said. "But I still find this strange. Charlie loves Sabrina so much. Why would he think that Sabrina doesn't love him anymore?"My mind circled around that question. Confusion and worry enveloped my heart. Charlie always seemed happy when he was with Sabrina, and I couldn't imagine him feeling n
Nicholas's POV Hazel might have a different way of thinking, but I knew she loved Charlie in her own way. Although sometimes, I wasn’t sure if that love always brought goodness. The pain and complexity we faced made me wonder if love could be a burden or rather a strength that bound us.I took a deep breath, feeling heavy in my chest. As I walked back into the hospital, I was determined to find a way for our love to be a source of support, not conflict. We needed to learn to understand each other, even if the journey might not be easy.I sighed deeply and then walked back to my room. In my mind, images of Hazel and Charlie kept playing along with thoughts of Sabrina, who still lay weak in the ICU.I felt as if I were being pulled in two conflicting directions: the desire to stay with Sabrina and the guilt that lingered in my heart for not being able to fully attend to Charlie.Eventually, I decided to go to the ICU instead of returning t
Nicholas's POVMorning came too quickly. The sunlight pierced through the hospital room curtains, marking the start of a heavy day. I had just finished speaking with the doctor, who told me I was allowed to go home. His words still echoed in my ears, but instead of feeling relieved, I was enveloped in overwhelming fatigue. I truly hadn’t slept well last night.I sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath. My phone lay on the side table, vibrating silently as if waiting for my attention. I reached for it and was greeted with a screen full of missed call notifications and unread messages. Most were from the office, some from numbers I didn’t recognize. There were also messages from coworkers asking when I could return.I rubbed my temples, trying to soothe the slight throb that had begun in my forehead. "I should have slept longer," I muttered softly, realizing that even the pain in my head hadn’t completely subsided.However, there was no tim
Nicholas's POVI imagined Sabrina in her bed, fighting pain and uncertainty every day. Have I been present enough for her? Or have I been too busy with my work and other problems, forgetting how valuable our time together is? And what about Charlie? The child might be too young to understand what is really happening, but I know he also has the right to know the truth. But Hazel… she definitely won’t let me talk about this to Charlie.I sipped my coffee, which was almost cold, trying to gather my thoughts. The man in front of me looked at me with understanding in his eyes."You know, Nicholas," he said softly, "sometimes we focus too much on how we can fix something, that we forget to truly be present in the moment. Don’t let that happen to you."His words struck a chord with me. I thought of Sabrina, struggling against pain every day. How often have I been caught up in routine, letting time pass without giving her the attention she needs?
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