MasukSienna's POV
I remembered the publisher meeting earlier that day, how they spoke about my book seriously, as if it were something real and important, not just a dream I held quietly to myself. I smiled faintly. I had come this far. It wouldn’t be fair to stop now just because the past tried to pull me back.The light turned green. I drove on.My thoughts drifted to Noah. To the way he ran around that morning, to his endlessly enthusiastic voice, to his simple little world. I wanSienna's POV “The side that was finally allowed to eat earlier.”Noah chuckled softly again at that. Once again, hearing that sound filled me with an overwhelming sense of relief. Because at least he could still laugh.I watched Noah reach for one of the remaining lunch boxes before carefully closing it again.“I’ll eat it later,” he said shortly.I immediately nodded. “Yes. You should.”Noah glanced at me briefly before giving me a faint little smile.That tiny smile almost made my eyes sting again.I quickly looked away, pretending to organize the food bags so he wouldn’t notice my reaction.Time passed far too quickly. Without realizing it, I glanced at the clock. Instantly, that uncomfortable feeling returned.His break would end soon. Soon Noah would go back to training again. Back into that ring. Back into a world I still couldn’t fully accept.The atmosphere slowly became quieter now. Noah looked calmer compared to last night
Sienna's POV I looked at Noah, unable to hide the emotion swelling in my chest.Just seeing him sitting in front of us like this was already enough to make me feel unbelievably relieved. The past few days had felt like a nightmare searching for him everywhere, terrified of losing contact, terrified that something had happened to him. Now he was here. Sitting quietly. Eating the food I made.It felt simple. But to me, it meant everything.Noah immediately lifted his head slightly when he saw the container I pushed toward him. His expression shifted faintly, like he wanted to protest but was too tired to actually do it.“Mom,” he murmured softly.“What?” I asked quickly.“That’s too much.”“I don’t care.”My answer came too fast, making Liam glance at me briefly. But I truly didn’t care. As long as Noah kept eating, I would keep giving him whatever he needed.I watched his hands as he opened another container. His movements were slow. He
Noah's POV Not after I saw how much they were trying to get what I was doing, even if they did not like it.I lowered my head slowly.I was just starting to see that my choices didn’t just change me.There was Mommy, unable to sleep.Daddy, constantly trying to stay calm.Then there was me - running from all things, like that would fix anything.I let out a quiet laugh under my breath.Silly. All this while, I thought I was by myself. But the fact was they were still here. Even when I kept trying to shove them far away.Finally I stopped at the edge of the road and took my phone out of my pocket. I loo͏ked at the screen for a few moments before opening my dad message from earlier that morning.Call if you need anything.Short, Simple, Very Dad-like.I stared at the note for a bit before shutting the screen
Noah's POV I took a breath before I looked at the clock on the wall. I had been at the hospital for a long time. Then I turned to Rachel.Rachel was still staring at me. Her eyes did not look away. They were not totally calm either. It was like she was waiting for me to say something.I did not say anything. A small part of me felt let down.That was stupid.I did not even know when I started hoping she would actually show up.I looked away for a moment at the hospital window. The sun was shining through the glass beside her bed. The afternoon was already passing by.I thought about the training gym. My. Dad.My thoughts went back to them. They said they were coming to the gym today. If I was gone for long they would probably start looking for me again.I rubbed the back of my neck before I finally let out a breath."Alright then." My voice so
Noah's POVMy eyes were moving back and forth looking for anything. One person who had been on my mind since earlier.Aunt Emily.I did not even know why I wanted to avoid her. It just felt natural. After a while I stopped in front of the room with the number as before.I looked through the glass window in the door. It was quiet. Rachel was the one inside.She was sitting on the bed facing the window. Her shoulders were a little slumped. Her hands were just resting in her lap. From where I was I could tell she looked bored. Maybe she was just tired.I took a breath before opening the door slowly. The sound made her turn around away and when our eyes met she looked surprised."Noah?" Her voice was quick. "Why are you here?"I closed the door behind me before answering. "I just wanted to make sure Rachel was okay."I walked closer to the bed
Noah's POVI have been standing in front of the hospital since this morning.I do not even know when I got here.The sun is high in the sky now. My feet still have not moved inside.I just stand there staring at the entrance. People keep coming and going nonstop.They all look like they have somewhere important to be. Everyone except me.My hands are in my hoodie pockets, fingers clenched together.There is this feeling I can’t explain.It is hesitation.Should I go in?bShould I not?Rachel is doing better.At least that is what I last knew. I made sure the doctors were treating her. So there is no reason for me to be here.Yet I still can’t leave.The image of Rachels face from night keeps replaying in my head.Her cheeks were flushed. Her breathing was uneven. She tried to pretend she was fine.
Sienna's POV The answer was simple. Honest. And it left no room for pity or obligation.I smiled and nodded. “Alright. Mommy will say that.”Noah’s face looked relieved, as if a small burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He then turned to another shelf and picked up
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
Emily's POV “Yes,” Willy replied. “The contract is substantial. The exposure is wide. This project ” I stopped hearing the rest. Life Techno Group. Liam’s company. My heart beat faster. Then, without holding back, a corner of my lips lifted. Slow
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







