LOGINEmily’s POV
I was still sitting in that restaurant even after Liam disappeared through the door, his footsteps fading away without a single glance back. The air inside felt cold whether from the air conditioning or my own anger slowly piercing my bones, I couldn’t tell. Since earlier, Liam had been like that, constantly pulling away, keeping his distance, as if I were some kind of threat. Yet before he was nothing like this. I tapped the table with my fingertipNoah's POV I let out a breath and gently set the phone down on the seat beside me. My gaze shifted forward toward the street city lights glowing faintly in the distance.My mind never truly rested. Everything that had happened today replayed over and over again.The training. The pain. My coach’s voice.Beneath it all. One face that kept appearing no matter how hard I tried to push it away.Rachel.I clenched my jaw. I didn’t know when everything had turned into this. At first it was curiosity. Just a desire to try to prove that I wasn’t only "good enough" at one thing.Now this was no longer just trying. This was an obsession.I leaned my head back against the seat, closing my eyes for a moment. My body was completely exhausted. My mind kept racing without pause.I remembered Rachel’s expression every time I mentioned something. The way her eyes lit up whenever she t
Noah's POV My breathing was rough as I took off my boxing gloves. Sweat covered my body dripping from my temples to my chin. My hands felt heavy, my shoulders hurt and my face was probably bruised again.That fight was tough. I almost fell in the round. If I had been a second slower to dodge I might have collapsed on the ring floor.I sat at the edge of the ring head down trying to calm my breathing. I heard metal clanking, footsteps and other fighters talking around me.Slowly I reached for my phone in my bag. The screen lit up. I froze.I had lots of notifications. Missed calls. All from one person.Mommy.My chest tightened."Why are there so many?" I asked myself.I scrolled through the screen. One. Two. Ten more. All from Mommy. My fingers hovered above the screen. I knew I should call her back. I had been avoiding this for a long.I wasn’t ready. N
Sienna's POV “Tomorrow?” I repeated softly.He nodded. “We’re not just going to wait.”That brought me a tiny feeling of peace, at least we wouldn't just stay put.I looked back at the window. The city lights looked more bright now, the streets were more quiet as the night came fully in. With it, the dark in my heart got clearer.I didn’t know what we might see. I didn’t know what Noah had truly been up to. But one thing was for sure, I wouldn’t stop till I found an answer.When the car halted in front of a house, I stepped out without waiting for Liam to open the door. My steps were really fast like I was running from something. It was just my own thoughts that were scaring me.This house is usually a safe place.Tonight everything felt really different.I went inside. Grabbed my phone right away.
Sienna's POV “Rachel looked unsure,” I said gently. “Like she was thinking before she replied.”I opened my eyes and looked at Liam again.“And Emily,” my voice dropped, “she was too calm.”That was what unsettled me the most.Emily didn't seem shocked, didn't worry, and didn't ask about anything.It was like she knew all of this from the start.I bit my lip.“Liam, I’m scared.”My hand quickly went for my husband's arm.“There’s something wrong.”My heart started racing again.“Noah wouldn’t just disappear without a reason.”I recalled his face from the last few days, marks, tiredness and that blank stare in his eyes. All at once felt much more scary now“What is he really doing out there?” I whispered.Liam finally let out a long breath.“Sienna.”His voice was cal
Sienna's POV The car went from the fancy area, but my mind stayed back there in that big room on Rachel’s face and really on one person who had never really vanished from my mind.Emily.I looked right in front of me, but what I saw was not the town roads, it was pieces of the past pushing their way back into now.“Liam,” my voice finally broke, soft but strained.Liam, who was driving, just looked at me quickly. “What?”I took a big breath trying to sort my jumbled thoughts."Do you think I stopped, then faced him, that world can be so tiny?"He didn’t answer right away.I continued, my voice trembling slightly."Of all the folks, why does it have to be her?"My hands clenched in my lap. “Why Emily?”Her name tasted bitter on my tongue.“It’s been over ten years,” I said softly. “I thought all was
Rachel's POV His tone was firm but still controlled. “Don’t blame Sienna.”Mom only raised her brow slightly, as if she didn’t care much.Mr. Liam then stood up. He gently took Mrs. Sienna’s hand, helping her rise from the sofa. “It seems there’s nothing more to ask,” he said calmly.I could see Mrs. Sienna still looked shaken, but she followed him without saying anything. I watched them stand slowly, her movements unsteady, as if every step required extra effort. Mr. Liam stayed by her side, never truly letting go of her hand.For a moment, I almost felt guilty.Almost.But that feeling quickly faded, replaced by something stronger wariness. Because the atmosphere could so easily turn into something uncontrollable.I glanced at Mom. She was still sitting calmly, as if nothing had happened. That faint smile remained on her lips, her sharp eyes observing their every movement.No regret. No hesitation Only a calmness that felt dangerous.“Is
Sienna’s POV I stepped out of the kitchen and my eyes immediately found Noah sitting cross-legged in the living room. His small frame hunched over the tiny table, crayons in hand, busy scribbling on his drawing paper. I walked slowly, making my way toward him. “Noah,” I called softly. He didn’t
Sienna’s POV I didn’t regret it. I was grateful to have loved. Grateful to have been a part of this little family, even if in the end, I was pushed out. The front door opened with a creak, followed by Noah’s unmistakable giggle echoing through the house. I was in the kitchen, slicing strawberrie
Sienna’s POV It took a while before I moved from the bed. This room was too quiet, too empty… but it was the only place where I could breathe without feeling like a broken doll constantly being shattered. I turned on the desk lamp and sat down at my writing desk. I took a deep breath and reache
Sienna’s POV This morning I woke up with a pounding headache and erratic breath. It felt as though I’d been trapped in a never-ending nightmare all night. But I had no time to complain. My eyes landed on the phone vibrating on the table—its screen lit up with a message from the parents' group. [I







