39
Nicholas’s POV
I lowered my head, looking at Hazel firmly. “Hazel, enough This isn’t about you or me. This is about Charlie. He wants to see his mother, and I won’t stop him.”
“She doesn’t know what’s best for him!” Hazel replied in shrill voice. “Are you really going to take this child to a woman who can’t even take care of herself?”
The argument was getting more heated, but Charlie’s cries finally stopped everything. He cried loudly, hugging my legs tightly.
‘Daddy, Mommy Hazel, don’t fight!”
Seeing him like that, I felt an indescribable pain. I bent down, lifted Charlie into my arms, and stroked him gently. “Daddy won’t fight anymore, son. I’m sorry.”
I glanced at Hazel, signaling that I wouldn’t back down. “1 take Charlie. We can talk later.”
Hazel looked like she wanted to fight, but she finally chose to remain silent, even though her face was full of anger. Without waiting any longer, I carried Charlie outside calming her sobs.
“We’re going to meet Mommy Sabrina, honey,” I said softly. Charlie, who was still sobbing, started to smile a little, and that was enough for me to walk more confidently
I gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to hold back the anger that continued to boil. Hazel was really testing the limits of my patience. The fight played back in my head like a movie on repeat. Every word she said felt like a stab, reminding me of how difficult this situation was.
I knew Hazel was Charlie’s biological mother, and that made it all the more complicated. But in my mind, Sabrina was the one who had sacrificed so much for him. She was always there for Charlie, filling the void left by my absence. She was his protector and cheerleader, even though she was struggling
My head felt heavy with all these thoughts. How could Hazel not see what Sabrina was doing? How much love and care she was giving him, even when she was in pain herself. I felt frustrated, but on the other hand, I also understood the fear she must be feeling.
It was getting harder and harder to stay calm with each passing second. I knew I had to stay focused and not let my anger get the better of me. Charlie was right behind me, he shouldn’t see me like this. He needed stability, and I was determined to give it.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself down. Sabrina, Charlie, and even Hazel–they all deserved a better approach. Maybe, if I could find a way to bridge these feelings, I could help them all, including myself.
I glanced in the rearview mirror into the back seat. Charlie was calm now, hugging the robot doll he had brought from home. He looked so innocent, so clueless about the adult world of egos and bickering.
Seeing him like that made my heart melt. He was a symbol of all that was good and pure, trapped in a situation he shouldn’t have been in. All the chaos that existed between adults shouldn’t have been a burden on him.
In a way, I felt grateful to be with him. Charlie was a reminder of the importance of love and togetherness. The uncertainty of this life could be overwhelming, but his smile, however simple, reminded me to keep going.
I tried to take my mind off of the fight with Hazel and focus on the moment. Outside, the scenery was beginning to change, with trees falling and the sky clearing. It brought a little peace to my turbulent heart.
I hoped I could give Charlie the security and love he needed. He shouldn’t be affected by the conflict between
+25 BONUS
30
adults. I was determined to protect him, to be the one he could depend on, and to keep this whole thing out of his sight.
As the car rolled down the road, I felt a new sense of hope. Maybe, with a little time and attention, we could find a way out of this. Charlie deserved a happy childhood, and I was going to do my best to create that for him.
My mind was still reeling with questions. How could I have et this all fall apart? What was Hazel really thinking? The uncertainty was overwhelming, and the more I tried to think of a solution, the more confused I became.
I felt caught between two worlds: my responsibility as a father and my desire to support Sabrina. Every decision i made seemed like it could potentially trigger more conflict. What would happen if I chose one side? Would it hurt the other?
In the noise of my thoughts, Charlie’s voice in the backseat was a reminder of the simplicity of life. He didn’t care about adult drama–all he wanted was attention, love, and security. But I felt the weight of his burden on my shoulders.
I didn’t know what else to do to fix it. Maybe all I needed was some time to think and let my emotions settle. If I could find a way to communicate with Hazel and explain my position without causing more tension, maybe there would be hope.
As the car drove, I promised myself that I wouldn’t give up would try to find a way to maintain balance, for Charlie and for Sabrina. With that determination, I tried to calm my mind and focus on what I could do next.
Suddenly, I realized that I had braked too late at the red light ahead. The car came to a screeching halt with the sound of tires screeching sharply. My heart was pounding, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. After making sure the car had come to a complete stop, I quickly checked on Charlie in the back seat.
He looked a little surprised, his eyes widening for a moment before calming down. The robot doll he was holding seemed safe, and there was no sign that the incident had worried him. I felt relieved, but guilt still clouded my mind.
“I’m sorry, Charlie. That must have been a shock,” I said softly, trying to ease the tension.
He just nodded, seemingly more interested in the toy cars in his hands than the incident that had just occurred. Seeing him like that, I felt a little more at ease. However, I knew I had to be more careful in the future.
Now, with the red light still on, I took the moment to take a deep breath, trying to reset my mind. My focus had to remain on Charlie, and I was determined not to let the chaos outside affect our journey.
40
