Se connecterEmily's POV That afternoon went exactly as I had planned. I sat in the living room, crossing my legs gracefully as I enjoyed a cup of warm tea. The soft scent of jasmine filled the air, calming my mind.Everything should have stayed like this.Controlled.I lifted my cup slowly and took a sip.Warm. Perfect.Then the sound of my phone ringing startled me. It vibrated lightly on the table.I glanced at it. An unknown number. My brow lifted slightly. I usually did not answer calls like this right away.But for some reason, I picked it up.“Yes?”My voice was calm. Professional.“Good afternoon, is this Mrs. Emily?”I frowned slightly.“Yes, it is.”“We are calling from the hospital—”My heart skipped a beat.The hospital?“—we would like to inform you that a patient named Rachel is currently being treated here.”The hand holding my cup froze midair. Time seemed to slow down.“What?” My voice dropped.“Rac
Noah's POV “Like this?” Rachel asked.I didn’t answer.Because I knew, from anyone’s perspective, this looked wrong.But I didn’t know any other way.“Do you know they’re looking for you?” she continued.My chest tightened slightly.Of course I knew. Mommy wouldn’t stay silent. Daddy wouldn’t either.But I couldn’t go back. Not yet.“It’s not my concern right now,” I said quietly.Rachel went silent. Her expression changed again. This time there was something like disappointment.“Not your concern?” she repeated.I looked away briefly.That sounded colder than I intended.“I’m not saying I don’t care,” I added quickly. “I just can’t face it right now.”She didn’t respond immediately.She just looked at me. For a long time.As if trying to understand, but also holding herself back.“I didn’t know you were this much of a coward,” she finally said, softly but sharply.I turned to her immediately.“A cowa
Noah's POV The smell of the ocean and herbs greeted us right away. It was warm and nice. Away from the loud sound of the training spot before.We sat facing one another. A server came with the list, and I slid it to Rachel.“Order whatever you want.”She shook her head quickly. “I’m not hungry.”I looked at her flatly, not believing it.At that time, a quiet noise from her belly ended the stillness.I stifled a grin. She quickly looked away, very shy.“I said I’m not hungry,” she says, a bit defensive.I raised an eyebrow. “Your stomach disagrees.”She let out a small huff.I asked for some meals without waiting for her.“This one, this, and add drinks.”I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to not think about the quiet that was getting thicker. The spot was really cozy. You could hear a soft sound of waves far aw
Noah's POVI step down from the ring slowly feeling a pain in my shoulder and back. The injury is still there, it has not fully healed yet. This time I do not let it bother me.I sit on the bench, grab a towel and wipe my face. My breathing is still heavy. It is not crazy like it was on the first day when I almost fell down before training even started.The trainer is standing near me watching me without saying much. That is what he always does. He does not give compliments or comments.. From his silence I know he sees something in me."You are starting to get better," he finally says.I do not answer away. I just nod slowly while taking another sip of water. His words are simple. They make me feel a little better.Least I am not doing all this for nothing.I look back at the ring. The mat has marks on it. Footsteps, punches and the place where I fell and got up again.Now I am stil
Noah's POV The boxing gloves feel tighter now. I pull the straps firmly, making sure there are no gaps that could interfere with my movement. Sweat has already soaked my temples, even though the warm-up is not fully finished yet.But this time, it feels different.I stand in front of the large mirror in the corner of the room. My breathing is still heavy, but not as bad as it was a few days ago.More stable control.I raise both hands and throw a few punches into the air.Fast. Faster than before.I narrow my eyes. There is a change.Small, but real.“Do not just look. Feel it.”The trainer’s voice comes from behind me. I glance slightly, then focus back on my reflection in the mirror.I take a deep breath, then exhale slowly.Focus.I start moving again. One step forward.Right hook.Left jab.Uppercut.I control my breathing rhythm, trying to align it with every movement I make. Each punch is no longer thrown wi
Liam's POV “What if he doesn’t come back?” I asked again, more to myself than to him.My employee fell silent for a moment. He seemed to think, then stepped a little closer, still maintaining a professional distance.“Usually they will come back, sir,” he said quietly. “As long as they know there’s still a place to return to.”That made me lift my head.“A place to return to.” I repeated softly.I thought of home. The living room. The stairs. Sienna’s wounded face. And Noah leaving without looking back.Does he still see that house as a place to return to?Or have we made it feel like a place he wants to avoid?I swallowed slowly. That question was uncomfortable. But real.“Do you have a child?” I asked suddenly.He seemed slightly surprised, but nodded. “One, sir. Still in high school.”I nodded slowly. “And you let them get lost like that?”He gave a small smile. “I watch from a distance.”I frowned slightly.“What d
Sienna’s POV I stared at Emily's face for a long moment, almost unable to believe the words that had just come out of her mouth. Her words were like a knife that had been sharpened for ages, then stabbed straight into my chest, slow, neat, but excruciatingly painful."Don't go back
Sienna’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’s POV I stood in front of the grand gate of the private elementary school, gazing at the school’s name elegantly engraved on a marble plaque. The gate was tall, made of sturdy black iron, adorned with purple bougainvillea flowers cascading beautifully on both sides. From inside came t
Sienna's POV I walked slowly down the corridor of the house, now so silent. Each step felt heavy, as if I were leaving something unresolved back in the living room. Liam’s goodnight still echoed in my ears, simple, yet layered with emotions I couldn’t fully decipher.I opened the bedroom







