Chapter 13: Tides of Change

Morning at the resort felt different—quieter, heavier. The usual rhythm of the waves remained the same, but to Charlie, everything felt… off.

She was seated at one of the tables outside, absently running her fingers along the wooden surface, lost in thought. Last night's events had settled in her chest like an anchor. Sicily and Sloan had argued, and while she didn't know the details, she knew she shouldn't care as much as she did.

"Mommy Chawie!" George's little voice jolted her from her thoughts. She turned to see him rushing toward her, Amy following behind with her arms crossed.

Charlie forced a smile. "Hey, buddy. You already had breakfast?"

George nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I had pancakes and eggs and…" He scrunched his face. "Something green. Mom said it's healthy."

Amy sat down beside Charlie, giving her a long look before speaking. "Okay, spill it."

Amy raised an eyebrow. "Yesterday, you were all giggles and sunshine. Today? You look like someone just stole your coffee. What happened?"

Charlie exhaled, knowing Amy wouldn't let this go. "Nothing happened."

Amy snorted. "Lies."

Charlie sighed, glancing toward George, who was now busy drawing in the sand with a stick. "I am confused."

Amy leaned in. "Try me."

Charlie hesitated, then finally admitted, "I just don't know what I'm doing, Amy. I don't want to interfere in something that's not mine."

Amy frowned. "Are we talking about Sloan?"

Charlie looked away. "Sicily and Sloan have… whatever it is they have. And I don't want to be in the middle of that."

Amy was quiet for a moment before she smirked. "And yet, here you are, looking like you're very much in the middle of it."

Charlie groaned, resting her forehead on the table. "See? I knew I should've just ignored everything."

Amy patted her back. "Too late for that, Mommy Chawie."

Charlie shot her a glare, but Amy just laughed.

Before she could argue further, a voice interrupted them.

"So, what's the itinerary for today?" Sloan's voice was casual, but Charlie could hear the underlying curiosity in his tone.

She sat up quickly, clearing her throat. "Actually, Mon will be taking you and Sicily on the island tour today."

Sloan's expression shifted slightly, caught off guard. "Wait, I thought—"

"We changed plans." Charlie kept her tone even, but she could see the confusion in his eyes.

Before he could push further, Amy noticed the atmosphere and decided to cut the tension. She clapped her hands together. "Oh! You know what? George and I will come along too. Sounds fun, right, George?"

George jumped up, eyes sparkling. "YES! I wanna go!"

Sloan's jaw tightened, like he was debating whether to press Charlie for more answers. But with George now pulling on his hand, bouncing with excitement, Sloan had no choice but to roll with it.

Charlie turned to Mon, who had just arrived, looking a little bewildered at the sudden change. "Just take them to the usual spots," she instructed. "Make sure they get good shots for their video."

Mon nodded but studied Charlie for a second longer before replying, "Got it."

Sloan gave her one last look before heading toward the boat, Sicily linking her arm through his as she whispered something in his ear. Charlie forced herself to look away.

As the boat drifted off toward the islands, she exhaled, rubbing her temples. Maybe keeping her distance was the best thing to do.

At the Island Beach…

George sat happily on the sand, digging holes while Amy supervised. Sloan stood nearby, skipping rocks across the water, deep in thought.

After a while, George waddled over to Sloan and tugged on his shirt. "Mr. Sloan, do you like Mommy Chawie?"

Sloan almost choked on air. He glanced down at the boy, then at Amy, who was suddenly very interested in fixing her sunglasses.

"Uh…" Sloan crouched to George's level. "Why do you ask that, buddy?"

George grinned. "Because you always look at her like Uncle Mon looks at Miss Silly!"

Sloan was amused with George, while chuckling "Oh you mean Sicily"

"Yes! Miss Chilly" Sloan can't help chuckling at the little boy. 

However, George was serious and was quite curious, just continued his questions ignoring Sloan's laughter. "…And Uncle Mon said Miss Chilly is very pretty and makes his heart do this—" He flapped his arms wildly.

Sloan chuckled, shaking his head. "You're something else, kid."

George beamed. "That's what Mommy Chawie says too!"

Amy, clearly enjoying the moment, stretched lazily. "So, Sloan… do you?"

Shocked, Sloan shot her a look. "You're not helping."

Amy shrugged. "I wasn't trying to."

Sloan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's… complicated."

George tilted his head. "Why?"

Sloan looked toward the horizon. "Because sometimes, grown-ups don't know what they want."

George nodded, as if this made perfect sense. "Mommy Chawie says that too."

Sloan's head snapped toward the sea, his mind running in circles. Charlie had been acting different—distant. And he wasn't sure if he liked that.

Back at the Resort…

Charlie paced near the entrance, fidgeting. She had thought giving them space would be easier, but why did she feel so unsettled?

She prayed under her breath. Lord, You know what's best for me. If I'm being stupid about this, just… make it clear.

As she lifted her head, the boat was returning.

She took a deep breath, preparing herself.

Sicily was the first to step off, laughing as she linked arms with Sloan. It wasn't unnatural—after all, they had always been close—but the sight of it made something twist inside Charlie's chest.

Amy and George followed, George running up to her excitedly. "Mommy Chawie! We had so much fun! Uncle Mon found a starfish, Mom built a sandcastle for me and Miss Sicily almost fell in the water, but Uncle Sloan caught her!"

Charlie forced a smile, not really happy with what she heard, brushed George's hair. "That's great, sweetheart."

But her focus shifted when Sloan's gaze met hers.

And for the first time, she didn't know what to do.

Sloan hesitated before stepping forward, as if he wanted to say something, but Sicily tightened her grip on his arm, pulling him closer.

Charlie swallowed, trying to keep her face neutral. But deep down, she already knew.

This was going to get a lot messier before it got any clearer.