LOGINSienna's POV
We had just completed packing all the food into the picnic bag when the wind unexpectedly gusted colder than it had been. I glanced up at the heavens ominous clouds loomed directly over the park, racing by as if drawing a curtain."Seems like it’s going to rain," I murmured, gazing at the sky.Liam looked up as well. “Hmm, it seems the rain is eager to not wait until we arrive home.”And he was correct. A big drop fell on my cheek.Sienna's POV I sat for Liam just like he said. The fact was that each tick of the clock felt like pain.My head kept turning with lots of options. What if Emily was really at that house?What if she has gone? What if we are too late?The queries went round and round in my mind. Staying put got really hard.At last I stopped at a tiny eatery near the road. The spot wasn't too busy.Just a few customers were having a meal. The vibe felt normal.I sat by the window. Every few minutes, I looked at the time.Then I saw Liam's ride pull into a parking space. My heart beat faster.I hadn't even gotten up yet when he came into the place. His eyes spotted me right away.Before I could say something, he walked fast to me and hugged me tight. The quick move surprised me.I stopped for a bit. Only then I saw how tired I really was.I had been holding all by myself for way too long. I shut my eyes as I sensed his arms around me,A long time ago, Noah was always with us when I felt scared. Now he
Sienna's POV The words came honestly. They came without restraint.I was scared. Terrified, even.Scared that Emily wouldn't be there. Scared that we were already too late.Scared that all of this would end without answers again. Scared that Noah's story would remain unfinished."I'm afraid of failing." My voice cracked."I'm afraid we'll never find her." My sobs became audible."I'm afraid Noah will never get justice." The fear felt unbearable.On the other end of the line, Liam didn't answer immediately. I could only hear his breathing.Then his voice came softly. It sounded steady despite everything."Sienna." He spoke my name gently.I lowered my head. Tears continued falling into my lap."We'll find her." His certainty never wavered."But what if she's not there?" I whispered."Then we'll keep looking." His answer came instantly.His response was simple. Somehow, it made me want to cry even harder."What if she ru
Sienna's POV I took a long breath and slowly rose from the couch."I should go home."Rachel lifted her head. Her eyes immediately followed my movement. I gave her a faint smile even though it felt heavy."And... I'm sorry."Rachel looked confused."Sorry?"I nodded slowly."I came here angry."My voice sounded softer than I intended."I didn't even think about your feelings."My chest tightened."I was only thinking about Noah."My eyes burned again as I said my son's name."I may have placed a burden on you with all of this."Rachel quickly shook her head."No."I looked at her.Rachel wiped away the remaining tears and tried to smile."Really, Auntie."Her voice was still hoarse."I'm actually grateful that you came."I fell silent.Not everyone would say something like that after hearing the truth I had just learned.Rachel lowered her gaze for a moment before speaking again."Ma
Sienna's POV Rachel lowered her head for a long moment before finally whispering."I was just about to fix everything."Silent tears slipped down her face. A few seconds later, she whispered again."And then Noah was gone."Those words made my eyes burn all over again."I never even got the chance to truly apologize to him."I stared at her for a long moment. The guilt written across her face was overwhelming.For some reason, I didn't see someone who deserved blame.I only saw a child who was hurting. A child who had lost someone before she had the chance to make things right.I gently rubbed the back of her hand."Rachel."She lifted her face.Tears still covered her cheeks. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying."You are not at fault."Rachel immediately shook her head."But I-""No."I interrupted her softly."Listen to me."She fell silent.I took a deep breath before speaking
Sienna's POV "Rachel!"I quickly got up from the couch when Rachel suddenly fell over.It seemed like all the power had gone from her body. Her face turned deathly pale. Her eyes were empty.I caught her shoulders before she fell on the floor."Easy."I guided her back onto the sofa.Rachel didn't sit quietly. Her body trembled. Her hands felt cold. Tears streamed endlessly down her face."I-"Her voice broke apart. She put her head down and hid her face with both hands."I'm so sorry."Pain tightened inside my chest.Seeing Rachel like this, reminds me of myself the past few days.Broken. Grieving.Trapped inside a prison of regret."I didn't know."Rachel's sobs grew louder."I didn't think Mom would make such a bad choice."I remained silent.
Sienna's POV Another tear fell. It landed on my hand."Why Noah?"The light turned green. I drove forward once more.The nearer I got to Rachel's home, the more the wrath grew. It blazed through the sadness for a moment.Emily had taken everything. Not only my son.She took the future Noah was to have. Every wish that was meant for him had vanished.His trip to Hawaii. His graduation. His wedding someday.Everything.Every little thing was taken away. For no reason.Without the right to do so.I nibbled my lip more. If Emily really thought she could leave and begin again after all this, she was mistaken.A few mins later, my auto got into Rachel's area. The big home showed up from far away.I slowed down the car. My heart started to beat faster with each second that went by.It wasn’t due to fear it
Sienna's POV The entire room was in my peripheral vision as I looked around. When I thought about it, it was either the nights when I cried in the corner of the bed, trying to keep my pain at bay or the long hours spent writing. It was a very distant but close experience.I locked my sui
Sienna's POV From time to time, I heard birdsong drifting in from outside the window, blending with the steady ticking of the wall clock. Amidst it all, I realized just how easily I could grow used to moments like this. How easy it was to want to believe that all the old wounds could heal si
Liam's POV There was another long silence. I never attempted to fill it. I desired to provide her with the opportunity to unwind and gather herself.She finally gave a soft, “thank you, Liam. For taking care of him. For making him laugh today." Closing my eyes I cracked a smile, “th
Sienna's POV The café was full of life, packed with the smell of new coffee mixing with the sound of glasses and soft talks. I got there some minutes early, picking a table by the window where the sunlight shone gently on the wood. Outside, folks rushed along the paths, but here it seemed to







