LOGINSienna's POV
I resorted to minor things, such as warming up the soup I bought, setting the dinner table, and possibly placing toast on my child's plate. It was obvious from the smell of warm food that he was so excited to see it and then invite Liam out for dinner.Just that snapshot brought a smile to my face.It could be that happiness was meant to feel authentic and peaceful, rather than being extravagant or unexpected.The taxi moved again. As Noah fell asleep, the lights of the nearby shops reflected off his face and began to dance across it. Then he slowly lifted his head towards me until it just lay on my arm. I gazed at him without pause, brushing his hair softly to prevent any disturbance. It had that tender pain in my chest, like the discovery of a lost part.I understood that this journey wasn't solely about returning home from school. It was symbolic, a new beginning for us, an emerging friendship, and reassurance that hope would slowly fill the emptSienna's POV “People who know me say that’s a compliment.”I shook my head, then looked at him again. “I don’t have all the answers yet, Liam. About this book, about my career, about us.”“I’m not asking for answers today,” he said quickly. “I just want you to know you’re not alone in looking for them.”There was a brief silence. The clatter of plates from the kitchen reached us faintly. I could feel my own heartbeat, clearer than before.“And Noah?” I asked softly, almost in a whisper. “Are you really ready for all of this?”Liam’s gaze grew deeper. “Noah is part of my life. Of us. He’s not a burden, Sienna. He’s a compass.”That word compass made my eyes sting slightly.I nodded slowly. “I just don’t want him to see us hesitating.”“That’s exactly why I’m here,” he replied. “So if we take a step forward, we do it consciously. Not out of fear, but out of certainty.”I let out a long breath, feeling something in my chest finally settle. This
Sienna's POV I slowly turned the glass of water in front of me, watching the tiny bubbles rise to the surface. “Sometimes I feel like I have to be strong all the time. Like if I stop for even a moment, everything will fall apart.”“But it’s usually the opposite,” he said calmly. “Things fall apart because they’re forced to keep standing.”I let out a soft laugh not because it was funny, but because it felt right. “You know, today at the library I finally felt like I was allowed to go slow. I didn’t have to rush to become anything.”“And you suit that version of yourself,” he replied.I lifted my gaze and looked out the window for a moment. Sunlight slipped between buildings, reflecting off passing cars. “I’m afraid that if I enjoy moments like this too much, I’ll just be disappointed again later.”Liam didn’t answer right away. He picked up his napkin and folded it slowly. “Enjoying a moment isn’t a promise that pain won’t come again. It’s a choice to live
Sienna's POV As soon as we arrived at the Italian restaurant Liam had chosen, the atmosphere shifted drastically from the quiet of the library. The air inside was warm and fragrant, a blend of basil, garlic, fresh tomatoes, and toasted bread. Large windows faced the busy city street, while the interior was filled with soft, golden-yellow light that made everything feel closer, cozier, more intimate.A waiter greeted us with a friendly smile and led us to a table near the window. Once we sat down, my gaze drifted outside. People passed by, cars rolled along the street, the wind stirred the leaves of small trees lining the sidewalk. It felt as if the world was moving more slowly for me today.“Hungry?” Liam asked as he opened the menu.I let out a long breath. “Starving. I think I haven’t eaten anything since this morning except coffee.”Liam only glanced at me, but I could read what was on his mind. If he’d said it out loud, I probably would’ve just shrugged
Sienna's POV I stared at the small name in the bottom right corner, the cover artist’s name and my brow immediately furrowed.“Who is this?” I murmured. The name sounded unfamiliar, and there was no other information on the cover. No address, no phone number, not even a small website.I opened the front pages, hoping to find a clue. But nothing. Just page after page of book information that mentioned nothing about the illustrator. I felt slightly frustrated and deeply curious.“What is it? Find something interesting?” Liam’s voice came from behind me.I lifted the book slowly and showed it to him. “This is the cover I’ve been looking for all this time but I don’t know how to contact the person who made it.”Liam leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed. “I’ll find them,” he said casually. “Don’t worry.”I turned quickly, looking at him with hope. “You’ll really look for them?”He nodded lightly, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. “Yeah.
Sienna'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







