Sabrina's POV
I set a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. “At least drink this. You’ll need it.”He accepted it with a faint smile, sipping slowly. “Thank you, Sabrina.”Soon Hazel returned, leading Charlie who now looked refreshed, his hair neatly combed, his uniform in perfect order—Hazel’s care showing in every detail. He bounded into his seat with new energy. “I’m ready, Mom Sabrina, Mom Hazel!” he announced proudly.Hazel and I both chuckled. “That’s great, sweetheart. Come on, eat,” I said, sliding a plate of eggs and toast to him.Hazel sat beside him, cutting his toast into small pieces to make it easier to eat. Nicholas seemed more relaxed now, though his eyes still flickered back to his phone from time to time.We ate together, warmth filling the table. Charlie chattered about the drawing assignment his teacher had given him. “I’m going to draw our house, with four people inside,” he said, smiling brightly.I looked at him fondly.Sabrina's POV “Mom! Today I drew a big mountain and a huge sun! My teacher said it was really good, and I got a gold star on my paper!” he said quickly, still out of breath.Hazel chuckled softly as she adjusted his backpack. “Wow, a gold star? That means you really put your heart into the drawing. What did the mountain look like, Charlie?”Charlie waved his hand in the air, as if painting something invisible. “It was really big, Mom! Two mountains, and I put the sun in the middle so it looked like it was smiling. Oh, and I added a little tree, and some birds shaped like the letter V.”Walking beside them, I chimed in. “Birds shaped like V’s? That’s funny, Daddy used to draw birds like that too when I was your age.”Charlie turned quickly toward me, his eyes sparkling. “Really? Then I’m just like Daddy! But I made my clouds different. I drew them round, like cotton candy. My teacher said they looked cute, because the other kids only drew long lines for clouds.”
Sabrina's POV The midday sun had begun to shift, its rays filtering through the glass of the restaurant where we sat. I let out a relieved sigh after finishing lunch with Hazel. My stomach was full, and my heart felt warm. But I knew time kept moving. I glanced at the watch on my wrist, the long hand almost touching twelve.“Hazel,” I turned to her as she was still busy sipping her iced tea, “how about we pick up Charlie after this? Instead of going home first and heading out again, it’s better if we go straight to his school.”Hazel lifted her face, her eyes widening as if the thought hadn’t occurred to her. “Oh, that’s true. Good idea. Besides, Charlie will surely be happy if we both pick him up together.”I nodded with a smile. A warm feeling rose every time I imagined Charlie’s cheerful face. That child had a simple way of making everyone around him happy. Hazel seemed to agree; she immediately pulled out her phone to check the school’s dismissal time.“Ther
Sabrina's POV When Hazel finally let out a long sigh, her cheeks flushed from exertion, I knew she was content. Her small hands, once busy, now clutched the last roll as if reluctant to let it go. I took most of the samples from her arms to lighten her load. She only glanced at me briefly, then gave a faint smile—a simple smile, yet brimming with gratitude.In that fabric-filled room, I realized one thing: Hazel wasn’t just choosing material for a dress. She was weaving back her confidence, sheet by sheet, color by color.It was a quiet but important moment. I knew that someday, when these fabrics became real creations, I would remember this day—the day I saw Hazel believe in herself more than ever before.“I can see this becoming a spring dress,” I said, pointing to the pale blue cloth with tiny white flowers. Hazel chuckled. “I thought the same. A simple dress, maybe A-line. Something for everyday wear, but still sweet.” I gazed at her in admir
Sabrina's POV Hazel slapped her forehead, laughing louder. “Oh my gosh, yes! I always look cold, but honestly I was just… confused.”“Confused about how to deal with new people?” I teased lightly.Hazel nodded shyly. “Something like that. But look at us now, I feel like I’ve known you for ages.”I smiled warmly, feeling this conversation was truly opening a new space between us. “That means we’re starting to trust each other. And trust is a foundation if we want to move forward together.”Hazel looked at me for a long moment, then nodded with a serious expression. “I’ll remember that.” After a short pause, she added more playfully, “But don’t think I’ll stop teasing you. That’s part of how I adapt.”I laughed, flicking on the turn signal to take a smaller road. “Alright then, I’ll be ready to be your teasing victim.”Hazel laughed too, her voice clear and genuine. In that laughter, I could sense something slowly building: trust, comfort, and perhaps even
Sabrina's POV Time seemed to slow as I stood before the mirror. My hair was a little tangled from the morning’s activities, and though my face looked tired, it wasn’t too obvious. I let out a quiet sigh, brushed aside a few loose strands, and tidied myself just enough. Nothing excessive, I thought, since today’s plan was simple: step outside, enjoy the air, and perhaps find a warmth in companionship that mattered more than appearances.On the small table in the corner stood a half-empty bottle of perfume. I reached for it, sprayed a little onto my wrists, and dabbed it lightly on my neck. The gentle fragrance spread quickly, fresh enough to lift my spirit. Turning back to the wardrobe, I finally chose a light outfit—something comfortable for a walk beneath the midday sun.As I got ready, my eyes caught on a few small details in the room. A photograph still lying in the drawer, a book left open on the desk, and a thin blanket folded neatly over the chair. These deta
Sabrina's POV The sun climbed higher, its rays streaming through the wide family room windows and casting soft shadows across the wooden floor. I kept folding the laundry with steady movements, occasionally smoothing a crease so each piece would lie neat in its stack. Every fabric I touched still held a trace of warmth from the sunlight it had absorbed while drying outside. There was something deeply calming in this simple routine, as though every fold was a small piece of the home I was slowly building together with the people now around me.The clock’s hands shifted quietly, but I remained absorbed in my task. All around me, the family room felt full of life despite its silence. Books half-open on the table, a pillow slightly out of place on the sofa, Charlie’s little stuffed toy left lying on the carpet—each detail had become part of a daily scenery that was growing familiar. This house, which once felt foreign, was beginning to show its warmer face.I paused for a m