LOGINSienna’s POV
I was just starting to drift off to sleep on the couch when the front door creaked open. I instinctively straightened, my heart beating faster. For a moment, I panicked, afraid it was just another bad dream arriving uninvited. But then a deep, familiar voice called out.“Sienna? Noah? I’m home.”I breathed a sigh of relief, but I still stood up. I unwrapped my knees and walked out of the living room toward the entrance.“Liam,” I whispered softly, “be quiet. Noah’s just gone to bed.”Liam stopped in his tracks and turned to me. His eyes looked tired, but there was a small glimmer in them, as if he had returned with something different this time. In his hands, I saw several large plastic bags, making me frown.I squinted, leaned closer, and pointed at the bags. “What are those?” I asked, half suspicious, half confused.Liam held the bags higher, his smile thin but unmistakable. “Fried chicken and pizza,” he replSienna's POV Our steps slowed on their own, as if the library had an unspoken rule that forced everyone to lower the volume of the world. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, slanting across the marble floor and the towering old wooden shelves. I had always loved this place calm without feeling lonely, full without feeling suffocating.“This smell,” I murmured softly. “It always makes me feel like I’m home.”Liam turned his head, his eyes sweeping the room. “Did you come here a lot before?”“Often,” I replied with a small smile. “When I didn’t know what to write. Or when my work was rejected. Or when I just needed a place to sit and think without being judged.”He nodded, understanding without asking more. We stopped near a large floor map. I pointed to the right. “The literature section is over there. But I also want to see the art collection. Maybe for visual ideas.”“Lead the way,” he said lightly.We walked side by side, not touching, yet the sp
Sienna’s POVThe trip to the library felt shorter than usual, maybe because my thoughts were still warm with what had happened at school earlier. The scenery outside Liam’s car window moved slowly, rows of trees, small shops, traffic lights changing colors but my feelings weren’t fully there. Part of me was still left in front of the classroom, with Noah’s small hand holding Bam, hesitant yet firm.“I didn’t expect Noah to be that brave,” I finally said, breaking the silence. My voice sounded softer than I’d intended.Liam smiled faintly, his eyes still on the road. “Me neither. But the way he did it he didn’t force anything. He gave me a choice.”I nodded. “That’s what moved me. He didn’t act like he was above anyone just because he could give. He just stayed with him.”The red light made the car stop. Liam glanced at me briefly. “You did the right thing by letting him decide for himself.”“Honestly?” I let out a small chuckle. “I was scared. Afraid h
Sienna's POV Liam stepped closer, placing a hand on Noah’s shoulder, his gaze full of pride. “You did great today.”Noah smiled shyly, then looked at Bam, who stood a few steps away from us, clutching his new bag tightly. Without hesitation, Noah reached for Bam’s hand and said, “Come on, let’s go in. Together.”Bam looked at Noah as if he couldn’t quite believe that someone truly wanted to walk beside him. But then a small smile appeared on his face, warm and innocent. Hand in hand, they walked toward the classroom door.Something warmed inside my chest, like watching a gentle, hopeful new chapter opening right before my eyes.Liam and I stood a few steps away from the door, giving them space. I watched the small backs of Noah and Bam walking side by side, their steps not perfectly in sync yet, but close enough to adjust to each other. There was caution there, and courage still warm, like a small ember just lit.Noah glanced back at me briefly, as if to mak
Sienna's POV Liam’s car moved slowly toward Noah’s school. The morning air was still fresh, the sky a clear blue without even a trace of dark clouds, as if it knew today was going to matter. Noah sat in the back seat, clutching his blue bag tightly the bag that held a gift for Bam. He looked restless, gently biting his lip, his legs swinging back and forth without stopping.I turned to look at him. “Noah, are you okay?”He nodded, but didn’t say anything. Liam glanced at him through the rearview mirror and gave a small smile. “You’re brave, Noah. Mommy and Daddy are here, okay?”Noah swallowed and murmured softly, “Okay.”I reached back, taking his small fingers in mine. Noah returned the grip, though his palm felt slightly damp. I gently rubbed the back of his hand, trying to pass on the calm I felt this morning.“Are you nervous because you’re afraid Bam won’t like the gift?” I asked softly.Noah nodded a little. “I’m scared he won’t accept it. Or tha
Sienna's POV “There’s no such thing as slow when it comes to something meaningful,” he said calmly. “You’ve come a long way to get here. You deserve to enjoy the process, Sienna.”My heart felt warm in a gentle way, not burning, not sharp.“I was afraid you’d be disappointed when I refused to let Emily be my cover model,” I murmured.Liam took a deep breath, then gently brushed my cheek. “I’d be disappointed if you forced yourself into something that hurts you. As long as you choose what protects your family I’ll always support you.”I fell silent, letting his words settle deep in my chest. Protect you. Our family. There was a soft emphasis there, as if Liam wanted to make sure I truly heard it, not just let it pass by.“Sometimes I forget,” I said softly, “that I have the right to choose. In the past I gave in too often, until I no longer knew what I truly wanted.”Liam nodded, his thumb still brushing my cheek in small, soothing motions. “An
Sienna's POV The room was already dark when I finished placing the book I’d been reading on the nightstand beside the bed. The soft patter of rain outside the window made everything feel calm, as if the world itself was taking a long breath before sleep. Noah had been fast asleep for nearly an hour, after briefly whining and asking Liam to stay with him and read one short story.Liam and I were getting ready for bed too, and I had just pulled the blanket over myself when he switched off the lamp beside his side of the bed. Fatigue slowly crept up from my feet to my shoulders, but my mind felt crowded and heavy, as if there was no space left for rest.Liam turned toward me, his voice gentle. “How was the meeting today?”I took a deep breath before answering. “Heavy. But I’m glad it’s over.”He blinked slowly, waiting patiently.“I told them I wouldn’t work with Emily,” I finally said. “It feels relieving. But also confusing.”Liam nodded calmly. “Co







