"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?
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"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?”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
Nicholas’s POV That morning, I woke up earlier than usual. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, but its soft light was already streaming through our bedroom window. Beside me, Sabrina was still asleep, her face calm despite our deep conversation the night before.I felt relieved to have comforted her, assuring her that I would always be there for her and Charlie. Seeing her sleep peacefully made me grateful. We had been through so much, and although there were tensions to face, I believed we could find a way out together.As I gazed at her face, my mind drifted back to our conversation last night. Her fear of losing Charlie was very real, and I wanted to protect both of them from anything that could hurt them. I knew that Hazel was part of our past, and although there was hope for change, I had to remain vigilant.I quietly got out of bed, not wanting to wake her. After showering and changing into my work clothes, I left the room and caught the delici
Sabrina's POV My eyes lingered on his face longer than usual. I knew that the fear I had expressed to Nicholas wasn’t just an ordinary worry. I truly didn’t want to lose this child. Charlie meant everything to me. He might not be my biological child, but my love for him had surpassed the boundaries of blood and birth ties. My gaze fell on an object at the edge of the bed. A small toy robot from Hazel. I reached out and gently grabbed it. The toy was still lit, its light blinking softly. Charlie must have been so happy earlier. I could imagine his face when he received it directly from Hazel. But because of that, my feelings churned again. There was a faint yet piercing wound. I stared at the toy, then back at Charlie’s face. I gently caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry if I was selfish earlier,” I whispered softly, more to myself. “I was just scared. So scared…” I took a deep breath
Sabrina's POV I stepped closer, bent down for a moment, then sat on the edge of Charlie’s bed. The little one was still sound asleep, unaware that he had become the center of my worries tonight. Seeing his peaceful face made me feel calmer, even though the weight in my heart still lingered.Nicholas stood by the door, looking contemplative. I could sense the depth of our feelings. We were both parents trying to do what was best for Charlie, even though sometimes our ways were different.I turned my gaze to Nicholas, trying to find a way to bridge our feelings. “We need to be better at communicating,” I said softly, hoping to open the door to a more constructive discussion.Nicholas nodded, as if he agreed with what I was saying. A sense of guilt began to envelop my heart, reminding me that we both just wanted to protect Charlie, even though we often got caught up in differing perspectives.The tense atmosphere began to so
Sabrina's POVI waited in the living room, watching the clock on the wall move painfully slow. It was past nine in the evening, and the house was still quiet. Just a moment ago, I heard the door open and Nicholas's careful footsteps as he carried a sleeping Charlie in his arms.I watched them in silence, holding back the anger that had been rumbling in my chest.“He's back,” I said, my tone icy. My eyes never left Nicholas's face.He turned quickly, perhaps sensing the tone in my voice. “He fell asleep after playing…”“I know he fell asleep,” I cut in sharply. “What I don’t understand is why you took Hazel to meet Charlie… even coming home this late.”Nicholas's face hardened for a moment. He avoided my gaze and walked slowly toward Charlie’s room. I followed behind, watching him lay Charlie down carefully, cover him with a blanket, then stand back with a long sigh.Seeing Nicholas so calm while holding Charlie made me f
Hazel's POV Carefully, I leaned down and kissed Charlie on the forehead. “Goodnight, sweetheart... Mommy Hazel loves you so much,” I whispered softly, trying to hold back the surge of emotions pressing from within.I took a deep breath, then opened the door and got out of the car. Outside, the night air touched my face, bringing a slight chill that didn’t come from the weather but from the heavy heart of leaving my son.Nicholas got out as well and looked at me with an unreadable expression. “Thank you... for giving me this time,” I said, my voice slightly trembling.He simply nodded. “See you, Hazel.”I stood there, watching the car slowly pull away from the parking lot, taking my sleeping child with it. And as the taillights disappeared around the corner, I felt as if a part of me was leaving with him.My steps felt heavy as I entered the apartment. The door closed quietly behind me, leaving a silence that echoe
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