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As I pondered, I tried to find a way out of this situation. Challe needed support, and I couldn’t let my emotions get in the way of helping that child. However, the pain and bustration still haunted my thoughts, making me feel trapped in uncertainty.
“You know what annoys me the most, Mom?” I turned to her, who was now standing at the kitchen door, her face full of regret. “It’s not just that you let Charlie run away, but that wornan keeps ruining my life!”
My mother–in–law didn’t respond, only lowered her gaze, her hands nervously clasped. Her expression showed how heavy the burden she felt was, and it made me hesitatea little. Yet, the anger and frustration bubbling inside me were hard to quell.
1 felt a mix of emotions–wanting to unleash everything I felt and wanting to give a chance to fix things. Each second that passed strengthened my conviction that I needed to speak, even if it was painful.
“From the start, I knew Sabrina didn’t deserve to be in Nicholas’s life. She’s weak, fragile, and always brings trouble. But Nicholas? He always defends her, always thinks she’s perfect!” My voice cracked, reflecting my emotional turmoil.
1 slammed the glass down on the table, the sound of glass hitting wood echoing in the small room. Every word that came out of my mouth seemed to release all the pent–up tension. Anger and frustration flowed so strongly, and I could no longer hold back
My mother–in–law could only remain silent, her face looking increasingly anxious. I knew my words were painful, but I felt trapped in an injustice I couldn’t accept. She needed to understand the profound impact Sabrina’s presence had on our lives.
“And now,” I continued, my tone quieter but still sharp, “that woman is trying to take Charlie away from me. She makes Charlie think she’s his mother. Doesn’t she realize I’m the one who gave birth to Charlie? I’m the one who bore all the pain to bring him into this world? Not her!”
Every word I spoke was filled with deep emotion. The pain and injustice gnawed at my heart, and I couldn’t help but express it. I wanted my mother–in–law to understand how serious this situation was and how much Charlie meant to me.
My mother–in–law looked up, staring at me with an unusual expression of anger. Her eyes sparkled with the same rage I felt. “Hazel, you’re right. That woman has crossed the line. She never knows her place. Sabrina just makes everything worse.”
I took a deep breath, slightly surprised by her sudden support. Her words offered a bit of relief amid the turmoil engulfing me. Seeing my mother–in–law stand firm against Sabrina made me feel less alone in this struggle.
“Finally, you understand, Mom. I’m fed up with Sabrina’s constant attempts to intrude into our lives. As if she’s the hero here.”
My mother–in–law nodded firmly, her tone growing colder. “She has no right. Sabrina is just a temporary escape for Nicholas. Nothing more. But she’s exploiting the situation to gain Charlie’s sympathy, making that child + k she deserves to be a mother.“.
Frustration and injustice flared up within me. My mother–in–law was right; this situation had to be taken seriously. We couldn’t let Sabrina continually ruin our relationship and manipulate Charlie’s feelings.
I clenched my fists, feeling the anger rise. “And now Charlie still calls her Mommy? Even though I’m the one who’s always been there for him. I’m the one who’s there for him now?!”
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The frustration overflowed, and every word I spoke seemed to reflect the depth of the pain I felt. Charlie should know who truly loves him and fights for him.
I felt trapped between the desire to protect him and the anger I couldn’t contain. This situation tore at my heart, and I just wanted to make Charlie understand that I was his mother, the only one who deserved that title.
My mother–in–law stepped closer, gently placing her hand on my arm. “Calm down, Hazel. I know what it feels like to be hurt like this. But we won’t let that woman win. Charlie is your child. No one can take that away from you.”
11
The support and understanding she offered eased my angera bit. The pain I felt felt lighter when I realized I wasn’t alone in this struggle.
My mother–in–law was right; Charlie was my child, and nothing could change that reality.
Her words gave a slight sense of relief in my chest, though Charlie’s cries from upstairs still haunted my thoughts. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the mixed emotions.
“If only you hadn’t let him call Sabrina…” I started, but Mom quickly interrupted.
“That’s a mistake that won’t happen again,” she said hurriedly. “I didn’t know he remembered Sabrina’s number. I just thought he was a little kid who didn’t know any better. But Sabrina must have done something on purpose to make Charlie remember her. She’s good at playing her part, Hazel.”
That statement shook my thoughts. I realized that Sabrina could indeed exploit this situation for her own benefit. Anger and worry flooded back, but I knew we had to stay focused on protecting Charlie from negative influences.
I tightened my grip on the cold glass of water in my hand. “Sabrina always tries to make me look bad. She shows up with her pitiful face, making everyone think I’m the cruel mother.”
My mother–in–law scoffed cynically. “People like Sabrina only know how to play the drama. She doesn’t care about how you feel, Hazel. She just wants to get what isn’t hers.”
Her words invigorated me, reminding me that I shouldn’t let Sabrina control this narrative. The anger and injustice I felt had to be transformed into strength to protect Charlie.
“Sabrina won’t be able to ruin our relationship,” I stated firmly. “I will fight for my child, no matter what she does.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “I just want to protect Charlie, Mom. I don’t want him to grow up thinking I’m a bad mother.”
