LOGINLiam's POV
I asked about the visual concept, requested color simulations, and made sure the shooting duration wouldn’t disrupt other agendas. I did everything in a flat, focused tone, as if Emily were just one of many models who had sat in this room before.Yet every time she spoke, there was a brief pause inside me. Not because of longing no but because my mind recognized old patterns before my heart could remind me not to react. I locked my expression in place, maintaining a safe distance.Daniel wrapped up the presentation, sliding his laptop aside. “Overall, that’s the concept. We want to make sure everyone agrees before moving on to the contract stage.”Emily’s manager nodded. “From our side, the schedule is still adjustable. Emily is open to two shooting days, as long as the concept remains consistent.”I crossed my arms, looking at the projected schedule table. “Two days makes sense. But I want a backup option for one additional day to anticipate weatherSienna's POV Noah giggled. “Daddy is important. Mommy too.”I laughed softly. “Then that makes Noah the most important.”“Why?” Noah moved closer, his eyes bright with curiosity.“Because you’re the one who makes this house lively,” I said, taking his hand and pulling him closer to the sofa.Noah hugged his robot tightly. “If Noah wasn’t here, would Mommy be sad?”I nodded without hesitation. “Very sad.”“Daddy too,” Liam added quickly.Noah smiled in satisfaction, then stood up again and moved his robot around. “When the robot does this, it means he’s saving the city!”“The city from what?” Liam asked.“From tired monsters,” Noah answered seriously.I laughed softly. “Tired monsters?”“Yeah. Monsters that make people tired and sad.”Liam and I exchanged a glance. There was a brief silence not awkward, but warm. As if Noah’s answer wasn’t just a child’s imagination.“Noah’s robot is amazing,” I said. “It can chase those monste
Sienna's POV After dinner was over, the atmosphere in the living room grew much warmer than before. Noah sat cross-legged on the carpet, assembling his small robot toys, while I casually cleared the dining table. Liam helped gather the empty food containers and carried them into the kitchen.I watched the two of them from the kitchen Liam placing plates into the sink while occasionally glancing at Noah, and Noah chuckling to himself because his robot could stand without falling over. The scene was so simple yet somehow deeply calming. As if a world that had felt heavy all day finally softened, even if only for a while.“I’ll wash these, okay?” Liam said as he turned on the faucet.I walked over and took a plate from his hands. “No need. I can do it.”He shook his head lightly. “You’ve been tired all day. Let me.”I laughed softly. “You’ve been working all day too, Liam.”“But you’ve been thinking all day,” he replied quickly, as if it were an undeniable
Sienna's POV I slowly turned the next page, but my eyes lingered more on Noah’s face than on the pictures. His eyelids were starting to feel heavy, though he was still trying to keep them open. His fingers clutched the edge of my sleeve, a small habit that always appeared when he was about to fall asleep.“Mommy,” he called softly, his voice growing hoarse.“Hmm?” I replied without stopping my reading.“If the fox is tired is he allowed to rest?”I smiled and lowered the book slightly. “Yes. He is. In fact, he has to.”“Why?”“Because if he keeps forcing himself to walk, his legs will hurt,” I explained gently. “And if his legs hurt, he won’t be able to help anyone.”Noah thought for a moment, then gave a small nod. “That means like Mommy too, right?”I paused for a split second. “Why Mommy?”“Because sometimes Mommy looks tired, but still smiles,” he said innocently.My chest warmed and tightened at the same time. I took his hand, hold
Sienna's POV “Noah, don’t throw your shoes,” I scolded gently, holding back a smile as one small shoe landed crookedly near the bookshelf.“Sorry, Mommy,” he said quickly, crouching down to pick it up. “Noah was in a hurry to tell you something.”I leaned my hip against the kitchen counter. “What’s so important that you were in such a rush?”“At school, Noah sat with Bam during lunch,” he said while trying to put his shoes on the rack only to place them the wrong way around. “Then Bam said his new bag can fit a lot of stuff. He said he’s happy.”I helped straighten the shoes. “Oh yeah? And what did you say?”Noah scratched his head. “Noah said ‘you’re welcome,’” he replied softly, then looked at me as if waiting for my judgment.I smiled. “That’s a good answer.”He let out a relieved breath. “Mommy, Bam doesn’t look sad anymore.”I knelt so I was at eye level with him. “You helped in your own way. That’s more than enough.”Noah nodded, then
Liam's POV Viola appeared again. “Sir, Emily and her manager were waiting by the elevator earlier. They asked me to give this to you.” She handed me a business card.A business card that was completely unnecessary because I’d had Emily’s contact since long ago.“Thank you,” I said shortly.I took the card and stared at it for a fraction of a second too long. Emily’s name was printed neatly, followed by the logo of a new agency bigger, more prestigious than the last one I remembered. As if it wanted to emphasize one thing: she hadn’t come as the past. She had come as a professional who was rising again.Viola was still standing in front of me, her iPad held to her chest, her eyes catching that brief pause. Too short to be called awkward, but long enough to be noticed.“Is there anything I should convey to the marketing team, Sir?” she asked carefully, her tone as neutral as ever.I shifted my gaze away from the card and shook my head slowly. “No. The
Liam's POV As soon as Emily stepped out of the meeting room, the atmosphere immediately felt looser. The marketing team busied themselves packing up documents, a few staff members whispering quietly about how “lucky” they were to land a talent of Emily’s caliber.I wasn’t surprised. She really was on a sharp rise. Every brand seemed to be competing to make her the face of their campaign. Though I’d heard she had faded a little some time ago, maybe she was being sought after again now.I took a few seconds myself before stepping out. My hand rested on the doorknob as I drew a slow breath, trying to calm the small, noisy voices starting to stir in my head.Sienna had just returned to finding her rhythm again as a mother and as a career woman. I had just begun to feel that my life was finally a little more stable.And then Emily appeared, just like that, right in front of my meeting room door.I stepped out and walked toward my office. The corridor felt longer







