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Sabrina’s POV
Nicholas looked surprised when his phone suddenly vibrated. From where I lay, I saw him staring at his phone screen with an expression that was hard to decipher. There was a mix of worry and confusion on his face.
My mind wandered. What was happening outside this room? Was there bad news? I hoped it wasn’t news that would stress Nicholas out even more. He had already endured so much, and I didn’t want him to feel even more burdened.
I noticed that Nicholas didn’t pick up his phone. Deep in my heart, I hoped he could find the strength to stay strong like he always did for me.
“Why didn’t you pick up?” I asked, my voice weak, but enough to make him turn to me.
He shook his head slowly. “It’s nothing important,” he said simply, trying to hide something behind his tone. But I knew there was something wrong.
“Just pick up,” I insisted, even though my body was still weak. “It might be important.”
Nicholas looked at me, clearly uncomfortable with my suggestion. “Sabrina, this isn’t the right time,” he tope almost pleading
said, his
“I’m fine,” I said, trying to smile even though my head still felt heavy. “If it’s about Charlie or something urgent, you should know, right?”
He looked increasingly agitated. I didn’t know who was calling, but I could guess. Hazel. Only she could make Nicholas look this upset.
Finally, hesitantly, he swiped his phone and answered the call. “I’ll call you back,” he said curtly, his tone cold, and he hung up before Hazel could say anything
I stared at him, trying to read the expression on his face. “Is something wrong?” I asked, sensing that something
was wrong.
He shook his head quickly as if to assuage my worries. “You have nothing to worry about,” he replied, softer this time. But I knew he was just trying to protect me.
“Nicholas…” I called his name softly, trying to find reassurance.
He looked down at his hand, still holding the phone. “It’s just Hazel,” he finally admitted. “Maybe it’s about Charlie. But I don’t want to talk about it right now. You’re more important.”
I fell silent, not knowing what to feel. There was a warmth in my heart because he said I was more important, but on the other hand, I knew it wasn’t the solution. Hazel and Charlie were part of Nicholas‘ life, and I couldn’t just ignore them, no matter how complicated our relationship was now.
Anxiety clouded my mind. I wanted to be the best for him, but how could I be when there was so much to consider? Every second, I felt the tug of love and responsibility. Nicholas was struggling with his feelings, and I was feeling them too.
I wanted to speak, but the words felt stuck in my throat. Should I be honest about what was bothering me? Or would that just make things more complicated?
In the midst of my hesitation, I looked up at Nicholas, hoping he could sense what was inside me. We were both at a crossroads, and somehow, we had to find a way to move on.
“If it’s about Charlie, you should know,” I said softly, trying to emphasize that I understood. “I don’t want to be
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the reason you miss out on something important.
+25 BONUS
Nicholas stared at me for a long moment, as if searching for something in my eyes. “I’ll take care of it later,” he finally said, his voice confident. “Right now, I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
I didn’t reply. I just nodded slowly, letting her take control. But deep down, I knew this conversation wasn’t over. Hazel wasn’t going to stop, and eventually, we’d have to face it all. Together.
Looking at Nicholas in front of me, I never thought he could be this anxious. The way he held my hand, the nervous look in his eyes, and the tension in his voice all felt strange but touching at the same time. I knew him as someone who was stem, sometimes even cold. But now, he seemed like someone who was truly afraid of losing
- me.
Empathy surged through me. I wanted to embrace him, to give him the comfort he needed. In this moment, I realized that beneath the strong persona he always portrayed, there was a deep vulnerability. He wasn’t just a protector; he was also a human being who felt fear and confusion.
Nicholas looked at me, and for a moment, I could see the hope in his eyes. The moment, though tense, reminder that we weren’t alone. We had each other, and that was all that mattered right now.
was a
I looked down, staring at the tight grip his hand had on mine. Guilt began to hit me. I knew this was my fault. I had kept it all to myself, thinking that I could work it out without involving anyone, including him. But look where I am now–lying in a hospital bed, my body weak, and Nicholas awake all night by my side.
The decision I made felt even harder as I realized how much he had endured because of me. He shouldn’t have had to go through this. In the silence, I felt how selfish I had been in trying to carry this burden alone.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I should have been more open
with you.
you.”
Nicholas looked at me, and I could see the worry in his eyes. “Don’t, Sabrina. You don’t have to feel guilty. I’m here because I care. We can get through this together.”
His words brought some relief, but the guilt still gripped me. I knew I had to learn to trust him, to share this burden. Slowly, I raised my head, looking at him with hope. “I want to fight together. I don’t want to make you feel alone anymore.”
“Nicholas,” I called softly, my voice barely a whisper.
