Charlene's POV
One week.
It's been a week, and I can honestly say that I'm happy. Truly happy. Happy with everything he's been showing me, with all the effort he's been putting in just for me.
Like today—he invited me and the kids to the beach. We're staying there for three days. I'm so overwhelmed with happiness that I can barely explain what I'm feeling right now.
It's the kind of happiness that feels almost scary.
The kind that makes you think there must be something in exchange for it.
"Tita Charlene?"
Lily's voice pulled me back to the present. She walked over and climbed onto my lap.
"Do you need something?" I asked gently.
She shook her head.
"Here… I made this for you. It's a gift. To say sorry for everything."
She opened her small palm, and I froze. My eyes immediately filled with tears when I saw what she was holding.
It was a bracelet. Not just any bracelet—but handmade. White beads in different shapes, carefully arranged.
"It's beautiful," I said softly. "Let me."
She took my hand and carefully slipped the bracelet onto my wrist. It matched my skin perfectly.
"Thank you. Thank you, Lily." I hugged her tightly, trying my best not to cry.
"You know, I really admire you," she continued. "You're the only one who stayed until the end. You make us feel like we have a mom again—someone who loves us and loves Daddy too."
My heart tightened.
"Daddy really loves you. Even if he doesn't say it, we know. We see the way he looks at you. It's the same way he used to look at Mom."
I didn't know what to say.
Especially when she mentioned Monica.
And just like that, the fear returned.
My insecurities about her crept back in.
"Please love our dad," Lily said softly. "Make him feel loved every day. Please, Charlene. That's the only way we can make him happy."
I looked at her gentle face. I don't know why, but it felt like there was something deeper behind her words. Still, I chose not to dwell on it.
After that, she invited me to walk along the shore.
The wind was cold—so cold it brushed against my thighs and wrapped around every inch of my skin.
We were halfway down the beach when I noticed Ericka walking quickly toward us.
"Jerk! Fuck you! Fuck you!" she shouted angrily, her curses loud and sharp.
But she stopped when she saw Lily and me.
"Ericka, what's wrong?" I asked, stepping closer.
"Nothing," she answered seriously.
"You're here? What a coincidence!"
We all turned when we heard a familiar male voice behind us.
It was Ericka's ex—and he was with his new girlfriend.
"Oh, what? Are you still following me?" he mocked. "Come on, Ericka—"
"Excuse me?" she shot back. "Who do you think you are for me to follow you? I didn't know cheaters were allowed in here."
He laughed. "Cheater? Stop making up stories. You're just the one who hasn't moved on."
I stepped between them before things escalated.
"That's enough. She's not following you. We're on vacation here—"
"Hold on!" he interrupted. "You're her so-called stepmother, right? Last time I checked, she was yelling at you and disrespecting you. What happened? Did she manipulate you already?"
"That's enough. We don't want any trouble—"
"Oh, shut up."
"No, you shut up!" Ericka snapped when he raised his voice at me, and I froze.
"What do you even want, Ericka?" he challenged.
I couldn't stop them anymore. They were already face to face, shouting at each other. Even his girlfriend couldn't calm them down.
"Fuck you!"
"Bitch!"
"Cheater!"
"Manipulative!"
"Stop it! Just stop—"
Suddenly, I felt myself fall. The man had accidentally shoved me aside, and I hit the sand hard.
Ericka's eyes widened in shock. Without hesitation, she lunged at him, furious.
"You bastard! Get lost! Leave!"
When they finally walked away, she turned to me.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
I stood up and forced a smile. "I'm fine. What about you? Are you okay?"
"Of course I am. No guy can take me down," she said confidently. "Are you sure you're okay?"
That made me smile for real. "Yes. Thank you."
She avoided my gaze. "Let's go. Daddy might be looking for us," she said, changing the topic as she walked ahead.
The rest of the day was beautiful.
We had lunch together, snacks, dinner. The table was filled with laughter and stories. If anyone had looked at me, they would have seen that my wide smile never faded the entire day.
It felt like it had permanently settled on my lips.
I felt so happy. So light.
I didn't want it to end.
I wished it could always stay this way.
After taking a shower, I stepped out of the bathroom wearing only a bathrobe, towel-drying my hair.
Kerill was already on the bed, focused on his laptop. When he saw me, a slow grin spread across his face as he set the laptop aside.
"What?" I asked, pretending to be annoyed.
"Come here. Sit beside me." His grin grew wider. I knew that look.
"No," I said, about to walk away.
But before I could, he quickly stood up and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"I'm so addicted to your scent," he whispered against my neck, breathing me in. I smiled.
"Are you addicted?"
"To you? Yes."
And just like that, I found myself gripping the wall as he pulled me closer from behind, his movements growing more urgent.
"I love you. I love you so much…"