Nicholas's POV
On a bench in front, not far from the dolphin show pool, Sabrina and Charlie were sitting side by side. Charlie was holding a cup of ice cream, his eyes sparkling as he watched the dolphins gracefully leap into the air before splashing back down into the water, eliciting cheers from the audience.When our eyes met, Sabrina noticed first. Her smile widened, and she gently patted Charlie's shoulder. The boy turned to me and enthusiastically waved his hand.My chest felt warm.I waved back at them while walking faster toward their bench. After everything that had happened recently, seeing Charlie and Sabrina like this, laughing and enjoying their time, made me feel relieved."Dad!" Charlie exclaimed as I approached. He set his cup of ice cream aside and got up from his seat. I welcomed him with a tight hug."Did you have fun?" I asked, looking between him and Sabrina."Yes, Dad!" Charlie bounced a little. "TSabrina's POV That day, I felt our connection had grown a little closer. There was no tension, only a warmth I rarely felt in the midst of our separate pasts.By late afternoon, I heard Nicholas’s car pulling up outside. As soon as the door opened, Charlie ran to greet us in the living room. “Mama Sabrina! Mama Hazel!” he shouted cheerfully, making me smile wide. He hugged Hazel’s legs first before coming over to me.Hazel smiled, looking more at ease when she was with Charlie. They had a naturally warm bond, something I had no intention of disrupting. In fact, I was glad Charlie could feel so comfortable around her.Nicholas followed behind and hugged me warmly. “You’re home already? Was the traffic bad?” I asked. “No, the roads were still pretty clear. I’ll go take a shower first,” Nicholas replied before heading to the bedroom.As I walked to the kitchen to start dinner, Hazel followed me. “What are we cooking tonight?” she asked, glancing at t
Sabrina's POV In the distance, the bell of the old church at the end of the street chimed, marking nine o’clock. Some parents began to leave, moving away from the front of the school. Hazel took a deep breath, then looked at me. “Do you want to sit here a bit longer? I don’t feel ready to leave just yet.” I shrugged. “We can sit here as long as you like. The only thing waiting for us at home is the washing machine.”That made her laugh softly, a laugh that sounded freer than usual. So we sat again, enjoying the sound of birds perched on the power lines, the smell of fresh bread wafting from the bakery across the street, and the occasional breeze carrying the laughter of children from inside the school.Hazel seemed more relaxed. Her hands no longer gripped the edge of her jacket like before, and her eyes no longer looked anxious. “Thank you,” she said suddenly. “Not just for letting me come with you to drop Charlie off. But for sitting here with me, keeping me comp
Sabrina's POV When the light turned green, we moved forward again. We passed the city park, where a few older people were doing light exercise while toddlers played on the swings. Charlie pressed his face to the window, watching a little child laugh as their swing was pushed higher and higher.“Mom, can we go to that park on the weekend?” Charlie asked. “Of course,” Hazel replied quickly, then turned to me. “That’s alright, isn’t it?” I nodded. “Sure. We’ll set a time for it.”Soon after, we crossed a small bridge. The river below flowed calmly, reflecting the sunlight like shards of glass. A heron stood by the water’s edge, occasionally spreading its wings. “Wow! Look, that bird’s huge!” Charlie shouted. Hazel turned to look. “That’s a heron. They like to live near the water.” “Like in the movie I watched,” Charlie added with a chuckle.As we neared the school, the streets grew busier. Cars and motorbikes took turns stopping to drop off chi
Sabrina's POV That morning, the air felt fresh, the sun had just pierced through the window curtains, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee still filled the dining room. I was clearing away the breakfast plates when Nicholas came down from upstairs in a neatly pressed shirt, his tie perfectly in place. His steps were steady toward the front door, car keys already in hand.The sound of his shoes against the wooden floor blended with the clinking of spoons in the sink. I glanced at him briefly, noticing how he arranged every movement with precision, as if his time had been strictly measured since the moment he opened his eyes that morning. From the corner of his gaze, I could tell he looked my way before continuing, as though making sure everything was in order.The air in the house felt warm, yet there was a fragile thread of calm lingering. The sweet pancakes from breakfast were no longer on the table, but their trace remained—the faint scent of maple syrup mingled w
Sabrina's POV After they left, I stood at the stove, replacing Hazel, who had been busy watching the pancakes. I poured the last of the batter into the pan and tidied up the table a bit, cleaning up the milk Charlie had spilled. Deep down, I knew I shouldn't feel disturbed. This was our home. Nicholas and I had opened the door for Hazel, to give her space to heal, not just her body, but her shattered life.But when I saw Charlie call Hazel "Mama Hazel," saw her happy expression, her innocent enthusiasm around her birth mother… a strange feeling crept in.Not jealousy. Not envy. But… worry.I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment, amidst the sweet aroma of pancakes and the lingering glass of milk. I knew it would be a long journey. But for now, I just needed to keep smiling, welcome the day, and keep believing that everything would be okay.The aroma of my freshly brewed coffee filled the dining room as heavy footsteps des
Sabrina's POV Somehow, this night felt longer than usual. It was as if time had deliberately slowed down, forcing me to face everything I'd been putting off fully feeling. Amidst the settling silence, I began to wonder, would I be ready if, one day, my role were truly taken back?“You’re human, Sabrina,” Nicholas continued. “It’s natural to feel that way. But you also have to remember, we’re all here trying to rebuild something new. Me, you, Charlie… and Hazel.”I lowered my head. “I’m scared. Scared that our relationship will get complicated. Scared that Hazel will take my place. Even though I know that’s not her intention, I’m still scared.”Nicholas pulled me into his embrace. Warm. Strong. But it wasn’t just about my body; it also enveloped my disorganized mind.“Then,” he said softly near my ear, “let me find a solution. I’ll talk to Hazel. We’ll find her a new place to live. Not because you want her to leave, but because she needs her o