59
I drove in silence, my jaw tightening as thoughts spun in my head. Hazel sat beside me with her arms still crossed, her face angry yet somewhat uncertain.
I didn’t know what she was planning, but I knew she wasn’t finished. The tension in the car felt increasingly heavy, and I could sense the emotions clashing between us. On one hand, I was determined to protect Charlie, on the other, I had to face the challenges posed by Hazel.
Every passing second felt like a growing burden, and I knew the decisions ahead wouldn’t be easy. Yet, in my heart, I promised to fight for Charlie’s happiness, regardless of all the complexities involved.
“Stop here,” she suddenly said, her voice flat but firm.
I glanced over, seeing her point to the side of the road near a small bus stop. The place was isolated, with only a few small shops and a quiet street.
“Are you serious?” I asked, my tone revealing my irritation. It felt like something was off, and I didn’t like where
this conversation was headed.
Hazel fixed me with a sharp gaze. “I said stop here.”
I took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. Although I was tempted to ask more, I knew resisting her wishes would only worsen the situation. Reluctantly, I searched for a place to pull over, feeling the tension rising inside the car.
Hazel opened the door, but before she stepped out, she turned to me with a face full of anger. “Do you think you can humiliate me like this, Nicholas? You’re really outrageous.”
I stared at her, silent for a few seconds. Finally, I spoke, my tone low but penetrating. “You’re the one who wanted out, Hazel. If you want drama, I’m not interested ”
Her eyes widened for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe what I had just said. But I didn’t care. I was tired of her threats and unreasonable demands.
She exited quickly, slamming the car door harder than necessary. Before I could take a deep breath to calm myself, she leaned toward the half–open window, her expression still furious. “You’ll regret this, Nicholas,” she said in a low tone, nearly a whisper.
I just stared at her, silent yet resolute, showing no signs of wanting to respond. After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, she huffed and stepped back.
I rolled up the window without saying anything and drove off. The atmosphere in the car felt heavy, my mind filled with thoughts about what had just transpired. The tension between us had deepened, and I knew this battle was far from over.
With each passing second, I tried to calm myself, but Hazel’s threats and words echoed in my mind. In my heart, I was determined to stay focused on Charlie and do what was best for him, even though the obstacles ahead seemed increasingly daunting
Through the rearview mirror, I could see Hazel standing by the roadside, perhaps contemplating her next move. But I didn’t care. I had spent too long trying to avoid conflict with her, and it had only made everything messier.
As the car drove on, my thoughts drifted to everything that had happened. I knew that avoiding problems wouldn’t resolve anything; in fact, it would only worsen the situation. In my heart, I resolved to face this challenge decisively for Charlie’s sake.
I was increasingly convinced that I needed to take clear steps to protect our child. Despite the difficult situation, I would not back down. Charlie deserved the best, and I would fight for that, no matter what happened.
Inside the car, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the still–burning emotions. Charlie sat in the back seat, sound asleep, unaware of what had just transpired. I glanced back at his peaceful face, and that was enough to remind me of what truly mattered now.
Hazel could try anything, but I wouldn’t let anyone–especially her disturb Charlie’s happiness again. In that quiet moment, my determination grew stronger. Charlie deserved to live in an environment filled with love and support, free from adult conflicts.
At lunchtime, I decided to leave the office early to pick up Charlie from school. I needed some time with him, especially after the exhausting drama Hazel had stirred up that morning.
The drive to school felt lighter, filled with hope for quality time with Charlie. Upon arriving, I saw children running and laughing; the cheerful atmosphere eased my mind a bit.
The car rolled smoothly toward Charlie’s school. When I arrived, I spotted him standing by the gate with his friends, laughing while holding his backpack. That sight brought a thin smile to my face; Charlie always brought positive energy amidst all the chaos.
I rolled down the window and waved. “Charlie, come on!”
Charlie turned quickly, his face lighting up at the sight of me. He sprinted toward the car, his backpack bouncing on his back. I stepped out to open the back door for him.
“Daddy!” he exclaimed joyfully, jumping into the car without hesitation. “Where are we going?”
I smiled and made sure his seatbelt was fastened. “First, lunch, and then maybe we can go see Mommy Sabrina.” My son looked incredibly excited, and I felt glad to see him so cheerful. As the car drove on, I began planning all the things we wanted to do today.
Hearing that, his eyes sparkled, but then he turned to look out the window, eagerly scanning the surroundings. Where is Mommy Sabrina now?” he asked enthusiastically glancing at every corner of the street as if hoping to spot her.
I chuckled softly. “She’s at home, Charlie,
Will take you there later.”
However, his cheerful expression slowly faded, and he slumped a bit in his seat. “I thought Mommy Sabrina would pick me up,” he murmured, disappointment evident in his tone.
