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Charlie tried to push me away, and somehow that only fueled my anger further. Before I realized it, my hand struck his check. The slap wasn’t hard, but enough to make him go silent. His face turned red, and he stared at me with wide eyes.
“Don’t you understand?! I am your mother!” I yelled, my veice trembling.
Charlie held his cheek, starting to cry again, this time more heartbreakingly. His cries filled the room, making me feel like a villain in my own home. Guilt enveloped me, making me want to reach out and hug him, but I was trapped in my own emotions.
Just then, my mother–in–law entered the room. “Hazel! What are you doing?!” she shouted.
1 flinched, realizing what I had just done. But I was too angry to feel remorse. “He won’t stop, Mom! He keeps calling that woman as if I don’t exist!”
My mother–in–law stepped closer, pulling my hand away from Charlie. “You cannot hit him, Hazel! This isn’t the way!” She glared at me, her face filled with anger I rarely saw from her.
I tried to defend myself. “I just want him to understand, Mon! I’m his mother! I have the right to him, not Sabrina!”
My mother–in–law shook her head firmly. “I know you’re angry, Hazel, but you can’t lose control like this. If you look bad in Charlie’s eyes, you’ll lose his forever. Is that what you want?”
Her words pierced me. I fell silent, staring at Charlie, who was still crying in the corner of her bed. His small cheek was red from my slap, and suddenly guilt started to creep into my heart.
Seeing him like that shattered me. I didn’t want to be the one who hurt him, the one who made him feel scared. All the anger
and frustration I had seemed to evaporate, replaced by deep regret. “No, that’s not what I want,” I whispered, almost inaudibly.
“Hazel,” my mother–in–law said again, this time softer. “You need to calm down. Don’t let your emotions take over. Charlie is your child. He needs you. But you can’t win his heart this way.”
I bowed my head, trying to hold back the tears welling up. I knew my mother–in–law was right. I knew I had gone too far. But I also didn’t know how to handle all this
Confusion and sadness clouded my mind. How could I explain my feelings without hurting Charlie further? L wanted to be a strong mother for him, but right now, I felt so fragile. Struggling, I tried to regain control over my emotions, determined to fix this mistake and show my child my sincere love.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Slowly, I approached Charlie. He shrank in the corner of the bed, looking at me with fearful eyes. The sight broke my heart.
“Charlie,” I called gently, my voice trembling. “Forgive me please!”
He didn’t respond, only continued to cry. I sat on the edge of his bed, trying to get closer without scaring hin more. The pain he was feeling made me want to scoop him up and protect him, but I knew I had to give him to feel his emotions.
Space
“Charlie, Mommy is here. I love you,” I said, trying to convey my affection despite him being trapped in his sadness. I hoped he could sense the sincerity in my voice and that I was fighting to mend our relationship. Mommy shouldn’t have been angry like that. Mommy just wants you to understand that I loves you. So much.”
He remained silent, but his cries began to subside. I reached out, trying to touch his reddened cheek. “Forgive me, sweetheart. Mominy won’t do that again. I promise.”
Seeing his reaction, my heart lifted slightly as he didn’t pull away. I hoped he could feel the sincerity in my words. The pain between us needed
and I was determined to fix everything Gently, I took his hand, trying to
provide the comfort be needed.
Charlie looked at me, his eyes still full of tears. “I… I want Mommy Sabrina…” he whispered softly, and my heart ached again.
But this time, I held myself back. I gently wiped his cheek, trying to smile despite the heaviness. “I know you miss Sabrina. But Sabrina can’t be here right now. Only I am here for you. And Mommy will always be here for you, Charlie.”
As I spoke, I hoped he could feel the genuine love behind my words. It might not be easy for his to understand, but I was determined to rebuild his trust. “Let’s try to eat, okay? After that, we can talk more,” I said softly, hoping to redirect his attention and rebuild our bond.
He didn’t answer, but at least he wasn’t crying anymore. I glanced at my mother–in–law, who stood in the corner of the room with a tense expression. She nodded slightly, as if signaling that I was doing the right thing
I took a deep breath, trying to dispel the remnants of anger still lingering in my heart. I needed to be calmer, patient. Because I knew if I continued to let my emotions take over, I would lose Charlie.
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“Charlie, Mommy has prepared lunch for you,” I said gently. “Let’s eat together, okay? Mommy promises I won’t be angry again.”
He looked at me hesitantly but finally nodded slightly. I felt relieved, even knowing this was just a small step in my journey to win his heart back.
I turned to my mother–in–law, who was still standing there. He didn’t say anything, but I could see the support his eyes.
Today might have been full of chaos, but I knew I had to learn to control myself better. Because no matter what, Charlie was my child, and I wouldn’t let anyone take his away from me. Even if it meant I had to pretend to be someone more patient and gentle, I would do it.
in
For Charlie. For my place as his mother. This determination would guide me, and I promised to fight to do my best for him, even though this journey wouldn’t be easy.
