Sabrina's POV
Since childhood, life had always forced me to endure—to adapt, to toughen my heart, to keep moving even when my knees trembled. And now, standing before her, with my hand holding tightly onto Charlie’s, walking him out of the maze of her manipulation—she told me I should have given up?I let out a long breath. The night air slipped in from a slightly open window, making the door creak softly. Charlie was already asleep in his room, a rocket-covered blanket pulled over his small frame. Even in sleep, he looked uneasy—his brow slightly furrowed, his lips moving, perhaps calling me in his dreams.“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I whispered to the air. “Sorry I was too slow.”All this time, I let Hazel dictate my steps. With her sweet smile and words that always sounded reasonable, she trapped me in a loop that slowly strangled my courage. She made me doubt myself, made me believe I wasn’t good enough to be Charlie’s mother.But today, wheSabrina's POV Outside the window, the sun had already fully illuminated the courtyard. The leaves, still wet from the previous night's rain, glistened, as if coated with glass beads. The chirping of small birds could be heard in the distance, punctuating the silence that now filled the house. Without Charlie's laughter or Nicholas's footsteps, the atmosphere was quieter, but not empty. A kind of peace enveloped every corner of the room. I folded the dry napkins, neatly arranged them in the drawer, then glanced briefly into the living room. The sofa looked neat, the pillows still arranged as they had been the night before. Nothing had changed much, but I could feel the lingering warmth of the moment that had just passed. It felt like a trace remained, though invisible.The atmosphere was initially quiet, filled only with the sounds of our small activities. “Sabrina… I’ve been thinking about starting over. Maybe… opening a small boutique or cafe around here.”
Sabrina's POV I sat a little more relaxed, letting the spoon in my hand pause for a moment. In front of me, Charlie looked so excited about breakfast. His movements were lively, as if each mouthful was a new adventure. He glanced from side to side every now and then, as if making sure everyone was watching how eagerly he was eating. A warm feeling spread through my chest. There’s nothing more comforting than watching a child grow up in joy.Nicholas seemed focused on his plate, but his eyes occasionally glanced at Charlie. The small smile on her face was a sign of how much she enjoyed this simple moment. She rarely expressed much with words, but I knew she harbored a deep affection, especially for this family. The gesture of her hand adding a little egg to Charlie's plate or pouring juice into Hazel's glass was her own language of love, little things that often went unnoticed by others.Hazel sat quietly, her face calm yet attentive. She didn't move much, but
Sabrina's POVI had just poured some hot coffee into a cup when Nicholas' footsteps sounded from the stairs. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower, his work shirt was neat, and the faint scent of his signature perfume wafted through the breeze. He smiled slightly when he saw the dining table laden with toast, scrambled eggs, fresh vegetables, and orange juice.“Wow, this morning is so lively,” he said, pulling out a chair to sit down.Charlie immediately exclaimed cheerfully, “Dad, Mom Hazel, and Mom Sabrina cooked! I was just sitting there waiting.”We all laughed at his confession. Hazel shook her head. “Hey, you helped too. You were the one who tried the first piece of bread to see if it was burnt.”Charlie proudly raised his hand. “Yes! It turned out really good.”I placed the plate of scrambled eggs in the center of the table. “Then let's have breakfast before it gets cold.”We began helping ourselves. N
Sabrina's POV Through the windshield, I saw the quiet night streets. Occasionally another car passed by, but most of the shops were already closed. The faint scent of Nicholas’s cologne mingled with the leather seats, creating an atmosphere that, for some reason, felt safe. “That dinner was so much fun,” Charlie’s voice broke the silence. “Right?” Hazel replied. “We should try another place next time.” Nicholas smiled slightly, his eyes on the road. “You all can choose. I’ll pay.” Charlie laughed with delight. “In that case, I want to eat at the place with giant pancakes!” I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Giant pancakes? Wow, that’s something you have to share with everyone.”The drive home felt light. Nicholas cracked jokes with Charlie several times, while Hazel occasionally chimed in. I stayed mostly quiet, but not because I was uncomfortable. On the contrary, I was savoring their voices, their laughter, and this simple moment that didn’t happ
Sabrina's POV Charlie, who was sitting next to me, gripped his spoon tightly like a soldier ready for battle. He scooped the very top layer, getting a bit of cream and a slice of strawberry. As soon as the first bite entered his mouth, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, as if experiencing a sacred moment. “This is so good,” he said in an awed tone, then immediately scooped up another bite.Hazel smiled at him, then took her own spoon. She aimed for the spot where the chocolate sauce met the ice cream, and just as her spoon reached it, Nicholas quickly moved his own spoon in, trying to take the exact same piece.“I was here first!” protested Hazel, laughing.“There’s no such thing as ‘first’ in an ice cream war,” Nicholas replied with a mischievous grin, managing to snag the biscuit piece Hazel had been eyeing.I simply shook my head at their antics while guarding my own spoon. I chose an untouched spot, mixing a bit of strawberry wit
Sabrina's POV Nicholas raised his hands as if surrendering. “First, I misread the recipe. It was supposed to be two teaspoons of baking powder, but I used two tablespoons. Then, I forgot to set the oven timer. So, when I finally opened the oven door… yeah, everything was pitch black. The smell was so bad my mom immediately opened all the windows in the house.”Charlie stifled a laugh, covering his mouth. “Dad, that’s like in a cartoon!”I laughed too. “Did you eat the cake?”Nicholas shook his head quickly. “No way. Even our pet cat refused to come near it. My mom said, ‘Son, this isn’t a cake, this is a self-defense weapon.’”Hazel nearly choked from holding back her laughter. “I can imagine that. But at least you tried. Maybe that’s where your talent for never letting people go hungry started?”Nicholas smirked. “Or maybe that’s where I learned to leave the kitchen work to someone more skilled. Although, honestly, I can make a decent omelet now.”Hazel