LOGINSienna's POV
I smiled, a little pouty. "Uh oh, you didn't go to cream with Mommy?!"Noah's eyes caught with excitement as he gazed at me and quickly said, "Mommy, I saved some for you!" He seemed afraid that I would be upset.My laughter accompanied my pins and his cheek. "Oh, no! could even be heard. What a good boy."With laughter streaming out of me, Noah quickly slid into my arms and ran towards the coffee table. He then opened his bag to present me with something speciSienna's POV I didn’t reply quickly after my own words sat in the air. It felt like something was pushing on my chest, too full to let out but also too hurtful to keep inside.The auto kept going, but my brain had got there first.Imagining Noah.The way he stood. The way he walked. If he was still in pain, if he was eating right. Little things that used to feel normal now turned into lots of worries!I nipped my lip, holding in the tears that almost came out again.Not now.I can’t fall apart now.My hands gripped harder, nearly to the spot of hurt. Yet it helped. At least I could still touch something true.“Sienna.”Liam’s voice came softly from beside me.I didn’t turn right away.“When we see him later,” he said slowly, “try not to push him too fast.”I closed my eyes for a moment.Force.
Liam's POV I stepped closer, meeting her gaze directly.“I think I found Noah.”The words came out firm, and in an instant, her expression changed.Her eyes widened.“What?”“I’m not completely sure,” I continued, “but someone saw him.”“Where?” her voice trembled.“In front of a boxing gym.”Silence fell for a few seconds as if her mind needed time to process it.“Boxing?”I nodded. I could see everything beginning to connect in her mind.Noah’s injuries. His exhaustion. The changes in him all this time. Sienna drew in a sharp breath. “He was with me all this time.”Her words trailed off. I didn’t finish them for her. Because we both already knew the answer. “Liam,” her voice shifted, “we have to go there.”There was hope in her tone. And fear. I nodded without hesitation. “That’s what we’re going to do.”She didn’t wait any longer. She immediately turned, grabbing her bag with quick movements. Even th
Liam's POV That day was done. Or at least, it ought to have been.I walked out of my work with a load in my steps that felt more heavy than normal. My s͏uit was still tidy, my tie just right, but my mind was a jumble.Since the morning I had made myself pay attention to work. Meetings, choices, signs, all things moved ahead but none of it really stuck in my headBecause of one thing.Noah.I hit the lift button and sat. My image in the shiny wall seemed more tired than I wished to say.Ding.The doors opened, and I went in. As the lift went down to the lobby and opened again my steps got slow as soon as my feet hit the shiny floor.The air was more calm than normal, but still busy enough to make my mind feel full. Folks walked about, chats mixed with ringing phones and steps bouncing off marble floorsI walked right to the door, planning to go back. Or a
Emily's POV I went back to my seat. Crossed my legs. The room was quiet again with the sound of medical equipment in the background.I looked at her for a few seconds making sure everything was going the way I wanted. Then my phone started vibrating.The name appeared on the screen. It was my husband, Robert.I stared at it for a few seconds before I smiled a little. It was not because I was happy. Because I knew I had to handle this conversation just right.I got up slowly. Stepped away from Rachel's bed so she would not hear me talking. Then I answered the call."Hello?" I said, my voice soft and calm."Emily."My husband's tone was serious just like I thought it would be. I did not need to see him to know what he looked like."I heard Rachel is in the hospital." I closed my eyes for a moment. News like this always gets to him."How di
Emily's POV I turned my head a bit while I kept watching her. “You’re anxious about him, right?” I said softly.She did not reply right away, but her silence was already enough. I nodded slowly confirming my guess.As expected.I had a slow breath before I drew the line. “Rachel,” I said gently.She turned to me. “Don’t get too close to Noah." I said clearly. She frowned at my words.“Why?" she asked. I smiled a little.“Because he is not a man." I said. She did not agree. I could see she was not sure.So I kept going.“You saw it yourself didn’t you?" I said, tilting my head. "The wounds on his body, his face, his hands. Even the way he moves.”She was quiet again. I could see her remembering. I spoke slowly.“Not just that. He even ran away from his home.”I looked at her sharply. "A man like that." I paused.
Emily's POV Soon, a nurse came and told me that Rachel was going to be moved to a special room. Of course I wouldn’t let my daughter stay in a regular ward, because it all had to meet a kind of standard.I went after them and watched Rachel, who was still resting weak but already much better than she was before. After some time, we reached a quieter room that seemed more right for the situation.I sat next to her bed and waited nicely until her eyes finally shifted. When they slowly opened up, I leaned in a bit and said her name softly."Rachel," I said softly, seeing her blink a bit to clear her sight. Her look was still hazy, but she was awake."Mom?" she said softly, her voice really low. I nodded a bit and showed I was there with no delay.“Yeah” I said coolly, keeping my face calm. She stared around the room, not sure but still able to answer."How do you feel?" I asked, looking at each bit
Sienna's POV Maximilian stopped pushing the cart and looked at me. “I want to tell him that I can write my name more neatly now. And I want to say that I listened to Mommy.”My chest warmed. “Daddy will be proud.”We turned into the bread section. Noah immediately pointed at Liam’s
Emily’s POV I was still sitting in that restaurant even after Liam disappeared through the door, his footsteps fading away without a single glance back. The air inside felt cold whether from the air conditioning or my own anger slowly piercing my bones, I couldn’t tell. Sinc
Sienna's POV In the rearview mirror, the school gate grew smaller and smaller. And with it, I felt as though I was leaving behind one small, warm world entering another that demanded I be stronger.Today wasn’t only about a book cover.Today was about proving that I could still stand
Emily's POV I stood up and opened Liam’s wardrobe. Inside, several of his crisp white shirts hung neatly, perfectly folded.I took one.The shirt still smelled clean hotel laundry, not Liam but the camera wouldn’t know the difference.Quickly, I slipped off my own blouse and put







