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 toSabrina's POV Nicholas let out a quiet breath, a faint smile still lingering on his lips. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that,” he murmured, almost as though speaking to himself. I turned to glance at him. There was honesty in his words, an honesty that sent a small shiver through my chest. “Maybe… we just need to let ourselves enjoy the little things more often,” I replied, keeping my tone light. He didn’t answer right away, only looked at me briefly with those gentle eyes before turning his gaze back to the table. The smile remained, faint but real. Once the laughter died down, silence returned for a brief moment. Hazel took a sip of her coffee and drew a deep breath. From the way she stared at the table, I could tell she was weighing something in her mind. At last, she spoke. “There’s actually something I want to tell you.” I turned toward her, as did Nicholas. Her voice carried a seriousness to it, yet
Sabrina's POV I leaned back slightly into the sofa, savoring the warmth of the coffee cup in my hands. The aroma of roasted beans mixed with the buttery scent of the biscuits Nicholas had brought, wrapping the room in a comfortable haze. The television was still on, showing a lighthearted program that drew the occasional smile from us, but more than anything, I felt that this shared moment mattered far more than whatever was flickering across the screen.I sank deeper into the cushions, letting my body relax. It was rare for me to sit so still without something demanding my attention, without a pile of worries pressing down on me. The heat of the coffee seemed to merge with the gentle warmth of this evening. Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Nicholas. He was leaning slightly to one side, shoulders loose, a sight I hardly ever witnessed. Usually, he came home carrying the weight of the day on his face, rushing through dinner before locking himself away in his office.
Sabrina's POV Time passed imperceptibly. The pile of plates dwindled, the glasses were arranged on the shelf, and the cutlery was neatly placed in the drawer. The kitchen table began to look clean again, restoring the calm that usually only comes after everyone has gone to bed. But this time, I wasn't alone. Nicholas was there, still standing beside me, helping me finish the little things he'd previously neglected."This feels strange, doesn't it?" I muttered, remaining focused.He glanced over briefly. "Why is it strange?"I smiled faintly. "Because we don't usually do simple things like this together."Nicholas didn't answer immediately. There was a moment of silence, and then I heard his sigh. "Maybe it's because I'm too busy with my own things. Sometimes I forget... that the simple things are important too."His words made my chest warm a little. I glanced at him, seeing his serious yet gentle expression. "I think Charlie would
Sabrina's POV Hazel gazed at him lovingly, discreetly placing a tissue near Charlie's plate, as if knowing he would need it soon. The faint smile that appeared on her face gave a motherly impression, though she didn't say a word.Nicholas remained upright, but there was a rare tenderness in his eyes. He glanced at Charlie occasionally, then glanced down at his own plate. He ate at a calm, unhurried pace, as if savoring every bite. Perhaps it wasn't just the food he was enjoying, but also the camaraderie that was beginning to take hold that evening.I took the opportunity to add a little more vegetables to my plate. The atmosphere was so peaceful: the clink of spoon against plate, Charlie's cheerful chewing, and the warm aroma of food filling the dining room. There was no long conversation, just a mutually complementary presence. Hazel refilled Nicholas's water glass without a word. Nicholas simply nodded in thanks. The simple gesture, at first glance
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