"Let's end this marriage, Nicholas," I said while handing over the divorce papers to Nicholas, the man who married me three years ago to get a nanny for his child. Unexpectedly, the man, who usually had a cold face, looked at me in surprise. "What?" His thick eyebrows almost knitted together. "What do you mean, Sabrina?" "I know you never loved me," I replied in a trembling voice, staring at his closeness to the beautiful woman next to him, his ex-wife who had just returned, Hazel. "Therefore, I will not bother you anymore. You can live happily with Hazel and Charlie... without me." When I was about to get up, the man suddenly pulled my hand, making me fall into his embrace. "What—" "No, Sabrina...." His baritone whisper made me shiver. His embrace around my waist tightened. "There will never be a divorce between us!" My eyes widened. Doesn't this man love me? Then why did he refuse my request for a divorce?
View MoreSabrina's POV
"Leave Nicholas! Because soon he will reconcile with his ex-wife!" My body jerked in shock, and my eyes widened in disbelief at what my mother-in-law had just said. I am a twenty-three-year-old woman squeezing the blue party dress I am wearing. "W-what do you mean by that, Mom?" I asked in a choked voice. My mother-in-law smiled sarcastically, her eyes staring at me with a sharp gaze. "Don't you realize? Since the beginning of your marriage until now, Nicholas has never loved you!" said the glamorously dressed middle-aged woman. "Because Nicholas's true love is only Hazel!" I was silent, with mixed feelings. I wanted to refute, but my tongue felt numb because I knew my mother-in-law was right. My husband never loved me. My heart was beating fast; fear and confusion engulfed my mind. I never expected that Nicholas's relationship with his ex-wife was still unfinished. I felt like I was kicked from a height, my trust shattered into pieces. "You see there!" said my mother-in-law, pointing towards a pair of humans who were chatting intimately in the middle of the party. "Don't they look very harmonious? Has Nicholas ever been that warm with you?" I swallowed hard. Those words stabbed at me, tearing my heart apart cruelly. I couldn't take my eyes off my husband, who looked so different tonight. Nicholas, my husband, a tall, handsome man in a black tuxedo who was currently carrying his little son, was having a warm conversation with his ex-wife, Hazel. The smile on Nicholas's face was the first time I had seen it in the three years I had been married to him. "You should wake up, me. You will never be worthy of being with my son." After saying that sharp sentence, my mother-in-law left, leaving me alone as if to confirm that I had no one to defend me. Disappointment and heartache engulfed me. I felt like I was let down by the person I had always trusted. I didn't know what to do; my heart was broken, and despair began to creep into me. "Will Nicholas really reconcile with her?" I thought bitterly. My chest felt tight, as if a knife had stabbed my heart. "Mommy...!" The loud scream of a boy broke my reverie. I saw my stepson crying while running towards me. I forced a smile and immediately hugged the tiny body warmly. "Why are you crying, honey? Daddy is here," I said while carrying Charlie. "I don't like it! Charlie doesn't like that auntie!" Charlie shouted, pointing at Hazel, his biological mother. I tried to calm the boy down and decided to approach Nicholas and Hazel, who had been trying to chase Charlie. Hazel greeted my arrival with a deep gaze and a sweet smile on her thin lips. Her hand slipped quickly to hold Nicholas's arm. "Hi. You must be me, right?" Hazel greeted, still with the same friendly smile. "I'm Hazel.” I nodded after being silent for a moment, observing Hazel's actions. "Hello, I'm Sabrina," I replied awkwardly. "Nice to meet you, Sabrina. I came here at the invitation of Nicholas's parents; they know I just came back from Canada yesterday," Hazel explained with a beaming face while looking at Nicholas, who was standing next to her. I could only give a thin smile when I saw Nicholas not pushing Hazel's hand away. "I'm also glad to meet you, Hazel." Nicholas glanced at his son, who was hugging my neck tightly. He approached me and tried to persuade Charlie, but his son got angry instead. "No way!" Charlie shouted in refusal. "Honey, Hazel is your mother too," Nicholas coaxed, rubbing the top of his son's head. "No! She is not my mother!" Charlie’s shout made Nicholas sigh, tired of coaxing his son, who had been refusing all this time. Seeing that, I tried to meditate. "It looks like Charlie is sleepy; that's why he's being fussy," I said while tightening my hug around Charlie's body, who was already leaning comfortably in my arms. Hazel's facial expression suddenly changed to one of deep sadness. The woman looked at her son, who was comfortable and calm, closing his eyes in my arms. That envious gaze... I could feel it. "You're so lucky, Sabrina. You have a husband like Nicholas, who is very warm and caring," Hazel said with a bitter smile. "And you can also win Charlie's heart." I could only remain silent. Hazel then smiled a little, approached me, and patted her son's head before her gaze shifted to Nicholas. "If I hadn't prioritized my education, maybe we would still be together and be a happy family..." Hazel's voice sounded hoarse. "I really want to feel what it's like to be loved by my biological son," she said while sobbing. Right in front of me, Nicholas suddenly gave Hazel a handkerchief to wipe away his ex-wife's tears. A little attention that I had never received from that man. "You can meet Charlie at my house anytime," Nicholas said. "You are his mother." Hearing that, a feeling of happiness radiated clearly from Hazel's face. Her two hands held Nicholas's hands warmly. "Thank you very much, Nicholas! I will visit often until Charlie is close to me." Everyone stared at the two of them and started whispering, especially when they saw me being ignored. I could only lower my head, suppressing the sadness in my heart. I realized I was not the woman my husband had wanted all this time. I hugged Charlie, who was sleeping in my arms, and decided to take him up to the second floor in Nicholas's family residence. My steps felt uncertain. From the beginning, this marriage based on my grandfather's will had never been colored by happiness. And now, everything was on the brink. When I had just laid Charlie's tiny body on the bed, the bedroom door suddenly opened, and Nicholas appeared, immediately going inside. "I will stay here; go home with the driver," Nicholas said without looking at me, as I sat on the edge of the bed. I stared at my husband's sturdy back as he stood in front of the dressing table, taking off his watch. I wanted to ask why, but I felt that doing so would only make my husband angry. So I just said, "Okay. Can I take Charlie?" "No. My mother wants to sleep with her grandson tonight," Nicholas said in his usual cold tone. "Go home by yourself; don't take my son." I swallowed hard and squeezed my cold fingers. It felt like being pierced with thorns in my heart. Tonight would be the umpteenth night that I slept alone without Nicholas because usually, we only sleep together when my husband wants warmth from me. I approached Charlie, who looked sound asleep on the bed. "Mommy, come home, honey. Charlie, don't be naughty," I whispered, kissing the boy's cheek gently. After that, I grabbed my warm coat and bag from the nightstand. I stood looking at Nicholas, who was now giving me a flat look. "If Charlie cries, take him home," I asked. I said that because I was the only one who could calm Charlie down, and Nicholas knew that. However, there was no answer from Nicholas. He just walked away, leaving me. When I arrived downstairs, I saw Nicholas in the middle of a party with his mother and Hazel. They seemed to be having a warm and close conversation. Seeing that togetherness, I felt as if my presence was a barrier for Nicholas and Hazel. I pressed my aching chest. "What... What do I and this marriage mean to you, Nicholas?”Sabrina's POV The evening rolled by at a slower pace than usual. After the groceries were put away, the kitchen looked tidy again, as if there was no sign that just moments before the table had been littered with plastic bags and piles of items. Only the scent of fresh vegetables and a faint scent of plastic shopping bags lingered in the air.Hazel sat for a moment on the kitchen chair, sighing as if releasing a burden that had been weighing on her shoulders. Her gaze drifted to the window, staring at the darkening sky. A rare look of relief crossed her face, a sense of acceptance, even though there were still lingering doubts. Her hands wrung out the hem of her thin cardigan and placed it on her lap. She didn't say anything, but the way her eyes looked at her made it clear her mind was filled with unspoken thoughts.Nicholas, having removed his jacket and tie, joined Charlie, who was busy playing with his new robot. In the living room, the sounds of squeaki
Sabrina's POV Nicholas came home early that night. Hazel and I were organizing the groceries in the kitchen, completely oblivious to the sound of his car pulling into the garage. I was busy unpacking items from a large plastic bag: fresh vegetables, several bottles of sauce, cleaning supplies, and even a new toy for Charlie that Hazel had secretly put in the cart earlier. Hazel smiled faintly when I held out a package of body wash to her. "I'll put this in the upstairs bathroom, okay?" she said. I nodded as I arranged the bottles of soy sauce on the spice rack. "Yeah, that's good. I'll organize the rest here later." Hazel had just turned to leave the kitchen when she heard the front door open. It was a familiar sound. I instinctively turned, and so did Hazel. Sure enough, Nicholas appeared in the kitchen doorway, his work jacket still on, his tie half-loose, his hair a little messy. His eyes immediately fell on the two of us. The atmosphere immediately became awkward. Hazel hast
Sabrina's POV I stood beside them, holding back the warmth that suddenly surged through my chest. “Mom Sabrina!” This time it was Charlie’s turn to run towards me, hugging my waist tightly. I bent down and gently stroked his head.“Yes, honey. Are you done with school? Did you have a good day?” I asked with a smile.Charlie nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Today I drew a family picture. There’s Dad, Mom Sabrina, and Mom Hazel.” He said innocently, making my cheeks flush, and I could see Hazel’s face flushing too.I turned to him, and he just smiled awkwardly, clearly still surprised by the nickname. I knew there was probably bitterness in Hazel’s heart, but also an inexplicable happiness. I could feel it.“Wow, a family picture, huh?” I said, trying to keep the mood light. “Show it to us later, okay? Mom Sabrina and Mom Hazel will definitely want to see it.”Charlie smiled broadly, excitedly holding our hands again. “Yes! I’m happy to
Sabrina's POV I let her stand there for a few seconds, giving her space for that private moment. Then, when she finally turned back to me, I simply smiled and nodded.She returned the smile, this time calmer, more confident. And I knew that, although the journey ahead was long, today was a starting point she would always remember.The ride home from there felt lighter. Hazel even began to chatter about her ideas: what clothes she wanted to sell, what colors would work best for her boutique's interior, even down to small details like large mirrors and aesthetic chandeliers. I simply listened with a smile, caught up in her newfound enthusiasm.In my heart, I knew Hazel had a long journey ahead. There would be challenges, difficult moments, perhaps even small setbacks. But today, she had taken a step. And I was grateful to be part of her first step.The car drove slowly down the main road, leaving behind the row of shophouses we had just seen.
Sabrina's POV I approached slowly, standing beside her without saying a word. I was simply there, giving her space to take a deep breath, calm herself, and organize her thoughts. A moment later, she looked down, staring at the empty floor, then looked up again with a different look. There was a glimmer of light that hadn't been there before—the light of someone who had just realized they had a choice.In my heart, I knew that whatever Hazel decided, this was a crucial moment for her. It wasn't just about renting a shophouse, but about daring to open a new door in her life. I felt a sense of relief, and pride, to be by her side through this process.Hazel took a deep breath and smiled, though she still looked hesitant. "Okay... then, I'll try. But I promise I'll pay you back everything you owe me." I nodded, then turned to the landlord. “We agree to rent this place. Can we draw up a one-year lease?”The man looked pleased. He quickly took the cont
Sabrina's POVThe midday sun was getting hotter as Hazel and I continued our journey after taking a short break at a small cafe. Hazel looked excited, though there was also a hint of anxiety on her face. She kept staring out the car window, observing the buildings we passed, as if searching for a sign that one of them could be the start of her new life.“There seem to be a lot of empty shophouses around here,” Hazel said quietly, pointing to a quiet but clean street. I quickly turned the steering wheel and entered the street. Sure enough, there were several small shophouses with for-rent signs displayed in front of them.We got out and started walking together. I knew this wasn't just about finding a place, but also part of Hazel's journey to rediscover herself.“That one looks nice,” I said, pointing to a two-story shophouse with simple white paint. It was strategically located, close enough to the main road, but not too noisy. Hazel nodded, her
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments