LOGINSienna's POV
After everything was set on the breakfast table, I glanced at the clock and realized Noah must be fully awake by now. There was no way that child would fall back asleep after leaving his room earlier. I walked over to him, sitting on the sofa hugging his stuffed toy, his eyes still half-open.“Come on, sweetheart,” I called softly, brushing his hair. “Let’s take a bath so you’ll feel fresh.”Noah nodded slightly, though he still looked sleepy. I took his hand and ledNoah'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
Liam's POV I shut my eyes for a bit, then let out a big breath.But Sienna, I sighed again. She couldn't see it like that.For her, all must be now. All must be clear. All must be safe! I understood. She’s a mother. She’s worried.But sometimes, she goes too far.Too forceful. Too controlling.I opened my eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling.“If only-”The words stayed not done. If only that night didn't take place. If only Sienna didn’t shut Noah in his room.If only I had been firmer. Or maybe gentler.I did not know. All I knew was that from that time, all things had changed.Noah ran off. He was gone without a sign.I bent my head, rubbing the back of my neck that was tight.“How did it come to this?”I truly didn’t know what else to do.Sienna blamed me. Said I was too lenient. Too indulgent.While
Liam's POV The call finally disconnected.I held the phone to my ear for some seconds, even if Sienna's voice was not there. Slowly I dropped it.Silence.My office suddenly felt suffocating.I reclined in my seat and wiped my face with two hands. My head was pounding not just from tiredness, but because it all felt too weighty.Too much. Too fast. I let out a long breath.“Noah.”His name fell soft from my mouth. That kid, where did he really go?I looked at the table in front of me. Papers were stacked high. My computer was still on. Email alerts kept popping up.But my mind wasn’t here at all.It had been two weeks.Two weeks since I could truly focus on work. He was gone. I held the phone in my hand.I wanted to call again.But what for?I already knew the outcome. He wouldn’
Sienna's POVI knew he was worried too. I could see it. I knew he was thinking about Noah.We were different.I couldn't sit still. I couldn't pretend everything would be okay. He could still work. He could still go on with his day like nothing had happened.I took a breath. I tried to steady myself.I wasn't angry. Not really.It felt like disappointment. Maybe a little envy. I couldn't be that strong.I stood up. I walked to the window. I stared outside as the sky slowly changed color.Time kept moving. Whether I was ready or not."Noah."I whispered his name softly. Like he could hear me."Have you eaten?" The question sounded simple. It hurt more than anything else.I didn't know. I didn't know anything about him anymore.As a mom that felt like my failure.I put my forehead against the glass. It
Noah's POV I immediately sped up my eating when Mommy started smiling with that overly meaningful look in her eyes.The only safe option was to escape.“I’m done,” I said quickly as I stood up. “I’m going to work on my college assignment.”“So diligent,” Mommy commented in a tone
Sienna’s POVThe clock on the wall said it was nine at night.I was still in the kitchen wearing my apron staring at the dinner table. I had set it over an hour ago. There was soup Noah's favorite vegetables and roasted chicken that I made.Everything was
Noah's POV The food showed up. It looked really great on the plate.Rachel said it looked nice. Steven started explaining what the restaurant is about. I was focused on cutting my steakThere was a rhythm to their conversation. They exchanged knowing glances. They made joke
Noah's POV I stared at the dark ceiling, lit only by the desk lamp I hadn’t turned off. The shadow of the fan rotated slowly above, like my thoughts replaying the same scenes over and over.Steven said he would step back slowly.Why did that sentence sound like a challenge instead?







