Nicholas's POV
After a while at the office, I felt restless. The thought of Sabrina still trapped in her sadness and the lingering tension between me and her began to bother me. I felt like something needed to be fixed, but I was confused about how to start. In the midst of my confusion, I remembered a brief conversation I had with Hazel about having dinner with Charlie. Seeing as Hazel and Charlie would be there, I felt like it was an opportunity to try to lighten the mood and find out what was really going on between Hazel and Sabrina.With a firm decision, I decided to go pick up Hazel and Charlie. I drove calmly, though my heart was still heavy, hoping that this dinner would bring some relief.When I arrived at the apartment, my heart was still filled with anxiety. I knew that our relationship, especially with Sabrina, was getting more complicated. But I also realized that this dinner could be an opportunity to create a better atmosphere, at least, thaSabrina’s POV I looked up at his face. There was so much I wanted to say. About the fears that once gnawed at my heart, about my anxiety of losing Charlie when Hazel came back, about the jealousy that still occasionally surfaced when I saw Charlie calling her ‘Mom Hazel’ with such longing. But there was also relief. Because despite everything, Nicholas and I hadn’t given up. We were still trying—trying to be the best for the little boy who had become the center of our lives.“Nicholas,” I said quietly, “do you believe Hazel will be freed?”Nicholas paused before answering. “I hope so. If the evidence supports her, she deserves justice. But if everything turns out to be true… then I have to be ready for disappointment too.”I nodded slowly. “Whatever happens, I’ll still be with you.”He turned to look at me in the dark. “Are you sure?”I nodded, this time with certainty in my heart. “I’m sure. Maybe at first, I held on to so much… anger, jealousy, fear of los
Sabrina’s POV Nicholas nodded. But before we moved, he kissed my temple again and said in a voice barely audible, “Thank you, Sabrina. For staying. For not giving up on me.”I smiled faintly and held him tighter. In a world full of wounds and lies, sometimes a hug was the only home left.We stayed like that in silence. Neither of us in a rush to move—as if time had slowed down to let us feel what had long been buried beneath worry and routine. Nicholas’s arms wrapped firmly around me, steady and warm. And I allowed myself to lean into him fully, like someone finally laying down a burden they’ve carried too long.I knew tomorrow would bring tension again. Investigations. Hearings. Unfinished business from the past. But tonight, it was just us. Two people trying to endure, trying to rebuild, trying to believe that love—even love cracked and tested—still had room to grow.“Sometimes I’m scared,” I whispered. “Scared that this is just the calm before a bigger storm.
Sabrina’s POV I went quiet. All of this was too complicated. I knew Hazel wasn’t perfect, but I also knew she wasn’t a killer. There was something sharp, something harsh inside her—but not cruel. She was Charlie’s mother. And though our relationship was never easy, I knew she still had a part of her that wanted to make things right, not destroy them.Nicholas looked at me after I thought it—long and steady. Maybe he could feel it, even though I hadn’t said a word. I lowered my gaze, trying to steady my breath, then quietly said, “I never hated Hazel, Nicholas. Maybe I never have. But I do know one thing—she loves Charlie.”Nicholas nodded, his expression softening. “That’s also why I can’t turn away.”“If we can prove she was framed,” I continued, “maybe this isn’t just about clearing Hazel’s name. Maybe it’s about saving Charlie from inheriting an even deeper trauma.”Nicholas took my hand and kissed it gently. Warm, unhurried. “Thank you, Sabrina. You don’t ha
Sabrina’s POV I had just pulled the blanket over Charlie’s small sleeping body. His breath was steady, soft and even, and in the warm dim light of the night lamp, I could see a faint smile resting on the corner of his lips. Maybe he was dreaming about the happy day he’d had. And I hoped that dream would stay sweet until morning came.I sat at the edge of his bed for a while, gently stroking his soft hair. Every strand reminded me how quickly time had passed. It felt like only yesterday I was cradling him home from the hospital—so tiny, so fragile. Now, he could laugh freely, ask endless questions, and wrap his arms around me like I was the only safe harbor in the world.“Goodnight, baby,” I whispered softly, even though he wouldn’t hear me anymore. But still, I needed to say it—every night. Every time I closed the door to his room.My hand was still holding his bunny plush, the one that had fallen to the floor earlier. That worn-out toy had been with him since he wa
Nicholas’s POV “Listen to me, Hazel,” I said. “We’re investigating every trace of communication between you and Adrian. Office CCTV, phone logs, emails—everything. I’ll prove you were set up.”Hazel’s red eyes welled up again. “Why do you even care, Nicholas? After everything I did to you… after I disappeared from Charlie’s life, only to come back demanding custody…”I shook my head slowly. “This isn’t about you, Hazel. It’s about Charlie. I don’t want him to grow up remembering his mother behind bars if she’s not guilty.”Hazel then whispered, “Adrian told me… if I helped take you down, he’d make sure I got custody of Charlie. He knew how much I loved that boy. He… he manipulated me.”I clenched my fists on the table, holding back the rising fury. “He manipulated all of us. And I won’t just sit and let it continue.”“Thank you,” she murmured. “I don’t know what else to say.”I stood. “Just tell the truth when the time comes
Nicholas’s POV “But I can’t build strategy on speculation. Hazel was a part of my life. I know how she talks when she’s lying. I know how she lowers her head when she’s afraid. If she’s hiding something, I want to see it in her eyes.”Bima stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly and pulled out his phone. “Alright. I’ll try to arrange a visit. But you’ll be given limited time—and you can’t bring notes or recording devices.”“That’s more than enough,” I said.My head was full of what-ifs. Would Hazel talk? Deny everything? Or finally reveal the truth—about Adrian, the pressure, the real motive? Deep down, I hoped she would help. But I was also prepared for the opposite.One thing I’d learned from all this: the truth doesn’t show up unless you search for it. Sometimes, to save the future, you have to walk straight into the past.After Bima left, I sat back down and opened the file containing Hazel’s arrest photo. She looked shocked. Empty. Powerless