Nicholas's POV
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself despite the persistent anxiety. "I have to be strong," I whisper to myself. "She needs me." As I stare at the corridor stretching before me, I hope to see a doctor coming with good news. But deep down, I know I have to be ready to face whatever happens. Our love is the only thing I can hold on to right now, and I am determined not to let it waver. In moments like this, my thoughts always return to Charlie. What is he doing now? Is he sleeping soundly at home? Hazel might have made him feel better, but I can't stop thinking about Charlie's earlier words: "Mama Sabrina doesn't love me anymore." Those words haunt me. Where did he get such an idea? At his young age, Charlie shouldn't have to think about things like this. He is everything to Sabrina, and I know she would give anything to be with him. Seeing Sabrina's condition now, I worry about the impact all this will haveSabrina'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
Sabrina's POV I sat in front of the dressing table, slowly combing my hair. Every stroke of the comb felt soothing, though to be honest, my heart was far from calm tonight. In the mirror, I saw my own reflection, droopy eyes, tired lines on my face, and lips that occasionally pursed anxiously.I took a deep breath, letting the cool night air seep in through the slightly open window. The faint scent of jasmine from the backyard wafted in, calming but also leaving a melancholy that was hard to describe. My hands still moved slowly, the wooden comb tracing each strand of hair, as if trying to smooth out the tangles in my head and in my mind.The dressing table lamp reflected a warm glow, but it still couldn't banish the dark shadows in my mind. I paused for a moment, staring into my own eyes in the mirror. There was a look that was familiar, yet strange at the same time—the gaze of someone who held too many secrets and unspoken wounds. Faint sounds could be