Hazel's Point of View

I'm unsure what made me do it, but I rushed away. I raced away from him, away from the circumstances I dreaded. I fled.

I'm unsure how long I ran, but I'm seated on a park bench. Why did he have to return? Why did he have to re-enter my life? Why? I burst into tears. You're a weeping wreck! My subconscious lashes out at me. My phone rings, and when I glance at the caller ID, I see it's Axel. I ignore it and stare into space, but my phone rings. After a few moments, it stops, and I receive a message.

Where are you, Hazel? Please get in touch with me.

I started walking back to my car, ignoring the text once more. I have to go to my parents' house to pick up Aria and Jayden.

Oh my God!

What if Hudson discovers them? Will he deprive me of them? Fear grips my throat as the thought alone sends shivers up my spine. He wouldn't do something like that, would he? Will he take my children away if he discovers he is the father?

No!

I hurriedly return to my car, and relief sweeps over me when I notice Hudson and Brooks aren't there. I hurriedly got in my car and drove to my folks' place.

I park the car in front of the home and hurry inside. When I get to the door, I knock until my mother opens it.

"Hello, honey. How-" she begins, but I cut her off and walk past her into the home in pursuit of my children.

Jayden and Aria are seated close to my father on the couch, watching a cartoon. When I walk in, they notice me and rush over to me. I kneel to their level and firmly put my arms around them as if they were going to be taken away from me. No!

"Mommy? Are you all right?" Jayden asks as he moves away from me. I suddenly notice tears streaming down my cheeks, and he wipes them out.

"I'm okay. Shall we go back home?" I inquired, and they nodded.

"Honey? Is everything okay?" Dad inquires.

"I'll tell you later, father. All I want to do is go home and rest." I sigh. He nods, clearly interested in what's going on with me. Mum doesn't say anything either, which makes me quite happy.

When I returned to my house, I put both kids to bed. I keep staring at them even after they've fallen asleep. I'm frightened they won't be there when I wake up if I close my eyes and go to sleep. Is it going to happen, or am I overreacting? I sigh.

"I love both of you. I can't imagine living without it. You're my only chance at happiness." I murmur to them, knowing they're not listening. I leave the room after kissing their foreheads.

Back in my room, I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, remembering him. Why did I notice him? Why did I attend the ball? Why did I allow Axel to drive me there? What caused all of this to occur?

I tossed and turned all night. Even though I was restless, I couldn't sleep. I just stared at the wall or the ceiling, imagining all the different scenarios that might bring us together. I finally fall asleep after a lot of tossing and turning.

Morning comes quickly, and I awake with a headache. It's Saturday, and you have the day off. Thank you, God. I turn to look at the alarm clock on the nightstand, and my eyes widen as they settle on the clock. Nobody awakened me at noon—neither my children nor my maid. I rush out of bed, complete my morning routine, and proceed downstairs.

Aria and Jayden sit on the couch, watching TV and eating cookies my maid cooked.

I say, "Hey, guys." They both put down their forks and glance up at me. They're both quiet and for a short moment, I'm concerned.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I inquire as I make myself at ease close to them.

"Look at who's up." I turn around when I hear a voice and see Axel. What on earth is he doing here?

"I came here to see if you were still alive!" He yells at me. Did I say that out loud?

"Yes. You did it." He states. Uh-oh.

"I'm sorry, Axel. I couldn't stand him." I sigh.

"You could have answered the phone or responded to the text." He sighs again and sits on the couch's armrest. "I was so worried." He says this while wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

"I'm okay." I smiled at him.

"Did you try to talk to him?" He inquired.

"No."

Silence enveloped the room.

"Okay. I have to go now. I'm relieved now that I know you're okay. However, I have plans with Violet. So I'm going to leave." He does a lot of rambling.

"Okay, okay. Now go. Have fun while staying safe." I say the last bit quietly because my children are around. He chuckles carelessly and gets off the couch. He kisses the children's heads, then mine.

"Bye. Be cautious." He says this as he walks out of the house.

The afternoon is spent watching television with the kids and working on my computer. Oh, and I work as an interior designer. I only assist my boss with his business and design a few residences. It's entertaining, plus it helps me pay my bills.

I bake cookies with the kids in the evening. I chuckle as they both have flour on their faces.

"Mommy! You're making fun of your prince." Jayden says to me, furrowing his brows to appear angry, but he's so cute!

"Jayden, you are not a prince. Ryder is a king." Aria says in a 'duh' tone, and I laugh.

"Am I not a prince, mommy?" Jayden sighs.

"Of course, you are a prince, my baby," I say, and he smiles from ear to ear before sticking his tongue out at his sister. I make fun of both of them. They both come with me.

The doorbell interrupts our laughter, and I wash my hands before going to the door. The doorbell continues to ring. Who in the world is that?

"I'm coming!" I yell and accelerate my pace. I see the last person I expected to know when the door opens. I don't want to see this individual. My heartbeat quickens, and the morning's tension returns.

"Didn't expect to see me here, did you?" He grins.

"Missed me?" He inquires and moves closer to me. I take a breather.

"What exactly are you doing here?" I inquire of him. He locks his gaze on mine. I'm perplexed since his eyes convey so many different emotions. He appears melancholy, as if he is regretting something, and as if he is weak.

"Hazel, I-" He begins but is cut off by a small voice.

"Mommy?" Aria enters the living room, where Hudson and I are standing. When I notice them both looking at each other, my eyes widen. "Hi, my name is Aria. It's a pleasure to meet you." She smiles shyly at him and approaches me, gripping my leg.

"Did I say it correctly, Mommy?" she inquires.

"Yes, baby," I say as I take her into my arms.

"Didn't she just call you Mommy?" Hudson's eyes are wide with sadness.

"Yes. She did it. Have a problem?" I yelled at him.

"How could you possibly do this to me, Hazel? Don't you feel bad about it?" He asks clearly.

"Can you and your brother go to your room, baby? I'll be there in a few moments." I tell Aria. I don't want my children to witness a fight. She nods, and I place her on the ground. Jayden emerges from the kitchen a few minutes later, and they both walk upstairs to their room. I turn to Hudson once I'm sure they're inside. His brows are wrinkled, and he appears to be irritated.

"What do you want, Hudson?" I inquire.

"First, respond to my inquiry. Why did you do whatever you did? Was I not enough? Didn't I make you happy?" He inquires loudly.

"Keep your voice down!" I become agitated. "Five years later, you still believe that. I didn't do anything and didn't need to prove it to you because, honestly, who are you?" He sighs as I make my poker face.

"I know you didn't do anything." I furrow my brows as he speaks gently. "The pictures that I saw were....fake."

Pictures? What images?

"The pictures that made me think you had cheated on me." He says that as if he could read my thinking. It bothers me that he can read me like an open book. That is highly infuriating.

"I don't care, Hudson," I say, turning away from him. His fingers wrap around my wrist as he pulls me closer, causing me to clash with his chest. My heart is pounding, and I know Hudson can feel it against his. I struggle out of his grasp, but it only makes him tighten his grip on me. His arm snakes around my waist, drawing me closer, if possible.

"Let it go, Hudson," I say firmly.

"Not ever again." He states. His breath fanned my cheeks, and his perfume enveloped me.

"Leave me alone!" I say. He lets go this time. I was angry with myself for being disappointed when he let me go.

"Have you moved on? How come you didn't wait for me?" He inquires.

"I didn't move on!" I notice that I am crying.

"You have two kids!" says the mother. He yells. I remain silent, and he appears to realize something. Oh no!

"T-they are....are t-they...mine?" I turn away from him while he stutters, validating his point. He grabs my arm firmly, and I wince. When he turns around, the sadness in his eyes is replaced by anger.

"You didn't even bother telling me?!? I am their biological father!" He yells. Because of his rage, tears well up in my eyes. It brings back memories of that day.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He inquires once more. I release my grip on his hand. I look at him in the eyes and begin to speak.

"Did you allow me?" Did you let me tell you the most exciting news we've both been waiting for?" I inquire, and he remains silent.

"No. You didn't do it. I felt accused of cheating when it was you who was doing it. I had no idea where I had gone wrong." I sob, and he remained mute.

"Over the years, I've tried to put myself in your shoes and consider what I did. I assumed it was my error that had jeopardized our relationship. I laid the blame on myself. I'm still unsure what I did to make you think I was cheating." I can't stop crying. He strides forward, but I step back and raise my hand to make room.

"No. Keep your distance." I indicated to him with my finger.

"They are my children." And if you try to enter my life and take my children away from me, I will not even-"

"Why should I take them from you? I want you all in my life!" I start laughing as he says this.

"It's already five years too late, Hudson," I say.

"I know. I know I messed up horribly! But please allow me to make amends!" He says as he takes a step toward me. I raise my hand and request that he stop.

"No," I say. He began to talk, but I cut him off.

"Leave me alone. Please simply leave." I cry.

"We'll talk about it again." He states. He approaches and kisses my brow. I move my gaze away from him. "All that matters to me is you." Those final words before walking out the door and all the tears in my body flow.

"Mom?" A faint voice awakens me. When did I go to sleep? I open and close my eyes quickly, hiding my eyes from the intense morning light. I open them again after a few seconds and notice Jayden standing in front of me, perplexed. When I raise my head, my neck aches, and I realize I'm in the living room. My neck hurts like hell. I'm sitting on the floor, arms crossed on the couch, wearing yesterday's clothing.

"Mom? What are you doing sleeping here?" Jayden inquires, and I'm at a loss for words.

"Um... I had some work to do and ended up sleeping here." I'm unsure, but he nodded. I exhale a breath of relief.

"It's Sunday today. So we're going out for breakfast." He moans. I'm not in the mood to go out for breakfast, but it's our Sunday ritual, and I can't say no. He'll be irritated.

"Girls are so lazy." He says, and I stare at him wide-eyed.

"What exactly did you say?" I pretended to be angry. He smiled mischievously as he gazed at me.

"You and Ari are both so lazy, Mom." I instantly wrap my fingers around his arm and draw him to me, he says. He ends up on my lap, and I begin tickling him. His laughter permeates the room, brightening my mood and making me smile from ear to ear.

"Say you're sorry." I insist. I know it's childish, but I'm only thirty-one.

"S-sorry." He says this between laughter, and I come to a halt. I burst out laughing, and he pouts. "Now, come on. I'm starving." He continues to pout.

"Is Ari awake?" I asked him and got up from the floor, holding him in my arms. He shook his head.

"That's exactly what I said. Girls are lazy." He states. I narrow my eyes at him, and he apologizes instantly. I make fun of him.

"Go wake her up and request that she brush her teeth. I'll go get your clothes." I say as I put him down. He nods and dashes into their room. I go to my room and get ready. I choose children's clothes. Jeans and T-shirts will suffice. After getting ready for myself and the kids, we headed to the cafe nearby, where we typically go. I take my seat after making sure they're both comfortable.

"Hello, Hazel." Paisley, our regular waitress, introduces herself.

"Good morning, Paisley." I give her a kind smile. She greets the children, who return her greeting. She requests our orders, which we comply with. Jayden requested pancakes, Aria requested egg toast, and I asked for coffee and pancakes.

"Mommy?" Aria says as we begin to eat, I was drinking my coffee and nodded at her.

"A man was in our house yesterday. Who was he?" My heart skips a beat as she asks. Jayden pulls the water glass towards me as I choke on my coffee. I consume it.

"H-he... H-he's an old friend." I lie.

"Oh." She says as she continues to eat. My heart rate accelerates dramatically. What if they discover he's their father? Will they abandon me for him? No, no. They wouldn't do it.

"Mommy, I need to use the restroom," Aria murmurs in my ear, jerking me out of my reverie. I nod and assist her in getting out of the chair. She's so familiar with the area that she walks there without me. Jayden and I briefly talk about a girl at his play school.

Aria has yet to return after a few minutes. We finished our breakfast and are now waiting for her. What happened to her? As a mother, I was concerned that she was taking so long, so I stood up and began to make my way to the restrooms, but then I noticed her tiny figure returning. As I see who accompanies her, my heart races for the second time since we arrived at the cafe.

"Mommy, I met your friend near the washrooms." She says this while pointing at Hudson. She's holding his hand, and he's staring at me. I remain silent and nod to her.

"Hello," Hudson murmurs, his gaze fixed on me.

"That's Jayden. He is my brother." Ari tells Hudson.

"Hi, Jayden," Hudson says as he looks at him. Jayden smiles at him.

"Um... Well, um... Let's get started. I've got some work to do." I take Ari's arm and drag her away from him. I almost feel awful for him when I see the hurt on his face. I hurriedly paid the bill and gave a tip before gathering my belongings and the kids and leaving without looking at him.

I buckled the kids into their seats and moved toward the driver's seat, but I was stopped. When I looked up from the ground, I saw Hudson. I tried to walk around him, but he grabbed my wrist and spun me around.

"Hudson-" I begin, but he cuts me off, as he always does.

"We have to talk, Hazel." Please get in touch with me." He says as he passes me his business card. I yank my hand from his grasp and shatter the card before hurling it at his chest. I moved to my seat, turning away. I close the doors and turn on the engine.