377

377
THIRD PERSON POV

Karen slowly bent down and reached into the corner where the pillows had been stacked awkwardly. Her fingers brushed against something flat and stiff. She pulled it out gently and realized it was an envelope with a folded paper inside. The edges were a little crumpled, as if it had been handled many times and hidden in a hurry.

She straightened up, her eyes moving from the envelope to the two faces staring back at her.

“Why did you hide this?” she asked softly.

Sugar looked down at his feet, his shoulders slumped. Karie adjusted nervously beside him, biting her lower lip. Neither of them spoke.

Karen exhaled slowly and opened the envelope. As soon as she saw the uneven handwriting, her heart clenched. It was Sugar’s writing. Careful, slow, and slightly slanted, just like his schoolwork.

Her hands trembled as she began to read.

“Dad, I miss you. Mommy has told me some certain truth but I still don't understand. Ashley seems to be a good man, but I still want you in my life, daddy. What exactly went wrong between you and mommy? I…”

The sentence stopped there as he wasn't able to complete it due to the fact that she interrupted.

Her vision blurred instantly as tears filled her eyes. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. It felt like something heavy had dropped right into her chest, pressing down until it was hard to breathe.

She looked at Sugar again. His small face was tense, his eyes filled with emotions he didn’t have the words to express; emotions she hadn’t fully noticed before.

“Oh my God…” Karen whispered.

Her knees felt weak as she knelt in front of them again. The letter slipped from her fingers and landed softly on the carpet.

“I didn’t know,” she said, her voice breaking. “I really didn’t know you were feeling like this.”

Sugar sniffled but didn’t cry. 

“I didn’t want to make you sad, Mommy,” he said softly. “You looked happy.”

Karen broke on hearing that. Tears streamed down her face as she pulled both Sugar and Karie into her arms, hugging them tightly. Her shoulders shook as she cried, not caring how she looked or sounded.

“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so, so sorry.”

Karie wrapped her small arms around Karen’s neck. 

“Mommy, don’t cry,” she said softly, patting her back the way she had seen adults do. “You’re not a bad mommy.”

Sugar hesitated for a second, then hugged her too. “You tried,” he murmured. “I know you did.”

Karen shook her head, still crying. “I should have listened better. I should have asked more questions. I just assumed you were okay because you’re smart and strong.” She said and pulled back slightly and looked at Sugar through her tears. “But you’re still a child. You’re allowed to be confused. You’re allowed to miss someone who has been your dad for years.”

Sugar’s eyes were filled with tears now. 

“I miss him every day,” he admitted. “I didn’t want him to think I forgot him.”

Karen pressed her forehead to his. “You could never forget him. And he could never forget you.”

She wiped her face and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. 

“Sweetheart,” she said gently, “Roland is downstairs.”

Sugar’s head snapped up. “Daddy is here?”

Karen nodded slowly. “Yes. He asked to see you.”

For a moment, Sugar didn’t react, like he was afraid it wasn’t real. Then his face lit up in the brightest smile Karen had seen in weeks.

“He’s really here?” he asked again.

“Yes,” Karen replied.

Sugar didn’t wait for anything else. He screamed happily and bolted towards the door.

“Daddy!” he shouted as he ran out of the room.

Karen remained kneeling on the floor, watching him go. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and let out a shaky breath. Karie stayed beside her, holding her hand.

“Is Roland going to leave?” Karie asked calmly.

Karen swallowed hard. “I don’t know, baby,” she answered honestly. “But we’ll figure it out together.”

Karie nodded, trusting her completely. Downstairs, Sugar burst into the living room.

“Daddy!” he yelled again.

Roland had barely turned around before Sugar crashed into him, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist. Roland froze for half a second, then slowly bent down and hugged him back just as tightly.

“My boy,” Roland whispered, his voice thick. “I missed you so much.”

Sugar buried his face into Roland’s chest. “I wrote you a letter,” he said proudly.

Roland closed his eyes, holding him closer. “I would love to read it,” he replied softly.

Karen stood at the top of the stairs, watching them. Her heart ached in a way she couldn’t describe. It wasn’t jealousy or regret; It was realization.

She just knew that she still had a lot to do in helping Sugar adjust to everything that has happened so far.

Miss Rose stood quietly at the side of the living room, watching the scene unfold. Sugar’s laughter filled the space as he spoke excitedly with Roland, his small hands moving as he talked. Miss Rose smiled at the sight. It warmed her heart to see the boy that happy again.

But when her eyes drifted to Karen, the smile slowly faded.
Karen stood a few steps away, her arms folded loosely against her body. Her lips curved into a weak smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Miss Rose understood immediately. This wasn’t easy for her. Not after everything that had happened.

Roland then turned to Karen. 

“I’d like to take him out,” he said carefully. “Just for a little while.”

Karen stiffened. “Now?” she asked. “With everything going on? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Roland sighed softly. “Sugar will be fine. I promise. He just needs time with me.”

“I said no,” Karen replied, her voice firm but strained.

She was about to repeat herself when she noticed Sugar. The boy had gone quiet. He stood still, his small fingers twisting together. His eyes glistened, and he quickly turned his face away, pretending to study the floor.

Karen’s chest tightened painfully.

“Oh, Sugar…” she whispered.

The sight broke her. Seeing her son trying so hard not to cry hurt more than any argument ever could. She swallowed hard, then nodded slowly.

“Okay,” she said. “You can take him.”

Sugar’s head snapped up. “Really?” he asked, his voice bright.

Karen forced a smile. “Yes, really.”

Roland let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

Then Sugar suddenly frowned. “What about Karie?” he asked. “She shouldn’t stay alone.”

Karen paused, then nodded again. “She can go too.”

Karie clapped happily. “Yay!”

Roland smiled at both children. 

“Come on then. Let’s go.”

Karen watched as Roland took their hands and led them towards the door. Sugar looked back once and waved at her, smiling widely. She waved back, even though her heart felt like it was tearing apart.

Then the door closed behind them.

Miss Rose walked over quietly. “Are you okay?” she asked gently.

Karen tried to answer, but the words wouldn’t come. She shook her head instead.

“No,” she whispered.

And then she broke.

Tears spilled down her face as she covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking. “I’m not okay,” she cried. “I’m really not okay.”

Miss Rose pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her tightly.

Karen cried into her shoulder, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on her all at once.