38
Nicholas‘ POV
I took a deep breath, trying to calin myself before speaking again.
“Hazel, I understand you’re worried about Charlie. But you don’t know what’s really going on with Sabrina. She’s sick, very sick, and I… I didn’t even realize it until now. If you had a shred of heart, you’d understand why I had to be there for her.”
“So what does that mean? You want to choose her over me and Charlie?” Her voice trailed off, but I knew her question held a threat.
I stared at her deeply, trying to find the right words.
“I’m not choosing anyone. I just want to make things right For Charlie, for Sabrina, for all of us.”
Hazel chuckled, bitterly. “Do you think that’s possible? Nicholas, you’re too naive. Don’t expect me to let Charlie near Sabrina again.”
My anger was rising, but I chose not to retaliate. Instead, I said softly but firmly,
“Hazel, this isn’t about you or me. This is about Charlie and what’s best for him. If you really love him, you have to learn to put your hatred for Sabrina behind you.”
She rolled her eyes, then grabbed her bag with a rough motion.
“Just watch, Nicholas. Don’t regret it if your decision ruins everything”
Hazel stormed out, leaving the room with the atmosphere still tense. I sat on the couch, holding my heavy head. This fight had drained my energy, but I knew I had to stay strong-
I stared at the blank wall, trying to gather my thoughts. Inside, guilt and frustration fought each other. Sabrina needed me, and I couldn’t let Hazel’s incomprehension get in the way.
My mind drifted back to the last moments I had with Sabrina. Her smile, though weak, gave me hope. She had always been the strong one among us, and now she needed the more than ever.
I stared at the photo of my little family on the table. This wasn’t the life I had imagined, but I wasn’t going to give up. Sabrina and Charlie needed me, and I had to do better for them.
I reached for the photo, staring at the happy faces smiling there. The memories seemed to remind me of the happiness we once had. But the reality was so different. Sabrina was bedridden, and Charlie was still struggling
with the loss.
My mind wandered to the moments when we laughed together, the moments when everything felt perfect. Now, I felt like a spectator in a dark drama that I couldn’t change. But one thing was for sure: I wasn’t going to give up on them.
With renewed determination, I put the photo back on the table. I needed to do better. Not just for Sabrina and Charlie, but for myself. This family deserved my best.
I made a promise to myself: I would fight to bring smiles back to their faces. Maybe, with a little effort and love, I could bring back the happiness we once had. I didn’t know what would happen next, but one thing was for sure, I wasn’t going to stop trying
I walked into Charlie’s room after Hazel had left the living room. There, I saw him sitting on the floor, squeaking and turning on little toy cars. His face looked cheerful, but there was a shadow of loneliness in his eyes. My heart sank. He was a good boy, too young to deal with all this chaos.
38
+25 BONUS
Watching him play alone, I felt mixed feelings. On one hand his smile seemed to give me hope, but on the other, I knew how heavy the burden was for him. Sabrina’s Illness hd darkened the house, and Charlie shouldn’t hav go through all this.
I bent down and sat beside him, trying to feel his play world. The cars were moving fast, making as if to cover up the sadness that was lurking. But deep in my heart, I knew that the laughter and joy were just
a flowing sound, masks to cover up feelings of loss and uncertainty.
As I watched the cars move, I resolved to do my best for Charlie. He deserved to be happy, even in the midst of hardship. In my mind, I promised to always be there for him, to be the support he needed in these difficult times.
The room felt warm with his presence, and I hoped to create small moments of joy, even though the world outside seemed so heavy. I wanted him to know that he was not alone and that we would get through this together.
I sat down next to him, trying to smile.
“Hey, Charlie. What are you playing?”
Charlie turned his head, then smiled widely.
“The cars are racing, Dad! But they don’t have a road. Can you help me make a road?”
I chuckled, realizing how simple a child’s world was. “Sure, I can. But before that, Dad wants to ask you something.”
Charlie tilted his head, curious. “What, Dad?”
I took a deep breath, trying to choose the right words. “Charlie, you remember Mommy Sabrina, right?”
Charlie’s eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, Dad! I miss Mommy Sabrina. Why doesn’t she ever come around anymore?”
The words hit me harder than I thought. I swallowed, trying to stay calm. “Mommy Sabrina is sick, honey. Do you want to come with me to visit her?”
Like lightning, Charlie immediately stood up, jumping up and down happily. “Yes, yes! I want to see Mommy Sabrina!”
Seeing his enthusiasm, I smiled faintly, even though there was a feeling of guilt that haunted me. “Okay, let’s get ready first, okay?”
However, when Charlie and I were about to leave the room, Hazel appeared in the doorway. Her cold face immediately turned angry when she saw us.
“Nicholas, where are you taking Charlie?”
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I want to take Charlie to see Sabrina. He wants to meet his mother.”
Hazel shook her head hard, taking steps closer to us. “No, Nicholas. I won’t let that happen. Charlie doesn’t need to meet that woman!”
Charlie, who heard Hazel’s high tone, immediately hid behind me, holding my hand tightly. “Mommy Hazel, I want to meet Mommy Sabrina!” his voice trembled, almost crying.
