MasukEmily’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 fingertipLiam's POV I took a breath. The officer looked at me, noticing my expression change. “Is there someone you're thinking about?" he asked. I looked down at the desk for a moment. I didn't want to accuse anyone without proof. Especially not for something like this. It just felt wrong. Something kept bothering me. Emily was Rachel's stepmother. She had become close to Noah. She also had a dislike for Sienna in the past. That was hard to ignore. I swallowed before speaking. “There isn't any evidence.” The officer nodded. "I understand.” “Hm." I started to say. I paused. The silence hung in the air. Then I spoke. “There is someone who has a history with our family.” The officer looked serious.
Liam's POV Many days went by since Noah's burial. The hurt of losing him had not gotten any smaller at all. On that day, I sat at my desk looking at my laptop screen but not really seeing anything. Papers were stacked on top of my desk, emails kept coming in, and the schedule was full as always. The work world didn't pause just because a person was sad. Maybe that’s why I made myself go back to the office. If I was home, I would see Noah's shadow everywhere. At the table, on the stairs, in a living room, everywhere! Morning light came through the big windows of my office. None of it made a room feel any warmer! I sat still at my desk and looked at the screen but did not really see it. My mind would not pay attention to work. Usually, I can read many pages of papers without losing my focus. Now, my thoughts drift to the same spot again and again.
Sienna's POV I wanted him to walk through the door. I wanted one smile from Noah.Reality was mean. Noah would never come back.That night I was surrounded by memories of my son. I felt like I was breaking apart.My tears did not stop. The pain did not stop either.Every time I closed my eyes I heard his voice again.“Mommy.”It sounded so clear. So real.I held Liam. I cried. My heart broke a little more with every breath.“I heard him.”My voice was weak.“I really heard Noah.”Liam held me tighter.I knew he was crying too. His breathing was heavy above my head.That hug was not enough. It could not take away this pain.Nothing could bring my son back. Nothing could change reality.Liam guided me inside. His hand did not leave mine.Fear was in his eyes.
Sienna's POV I opened my eyes real slow. The sky out the window was still dark blue, showing that a morning had not fully come yet.My head felt heavy. My body was weak.A weak poke came from the back of my hand. An IV line was put there.I turned my head slowly. After a few blinks I tried to recall all.Then suddenly, a name escaped my lips. “Noah.”I sat up quickly. My heart thumped loud in my chest.I was sure I heard his voice. He called for me.“Mommy.”The sound was so clear. It felt real.I yanked the IV line out, not thinking. Some drops of liquid ran down my hand.Pain shot through my skin. It did not matter.“Noah?”I climbed out of bed. My legs trembled beneath me.The room door flew open. The home was dark and quiet.Yet I knew what I had heard. I was sure of it.
Liam's POV Honestly, I was not even sure I could either.I bent my head down slowly while rubbing my tough face.This loss was too overwhelming. Our house felt empty now.No more Noah shouting from upstairs.No more dirty shoes in the living room or loud music blaring from the bedroom.The small stuff that made me whine now turned into the things I yearn for the most.I can still see Noah’s face well that day at the beach. He was grinning. Chuckling. He even made a big heart shape with his hands while yelling that he loved us!That became the last time I ever saw my son alive.My j͏aw tightened instantly at the memory.Whoever did this had destroyed our lives.I got up slow and walked to window again.The town seemed so quiet. Auto lights still went on fine down the roads.It was almost funny.The earth kept
Liam's POV I sat quietly beside the hospital bed while watching Sienna finally fall asleep because of the sedatives.An IV was still attached to her hand. Her face looked pale, and her eyelids were swollen from crying too much.A few moments ago, I had called the doctor to come because Sienna’s condition suddenly worsened. She kept breaking down after the funeral ended until her body finally gave out from exhaustion.Silence finally filled the room now. I rubbed my face slowly while lowering my head.My head felt unbearably heavy. Everything still felt unreal.Noah.My son was truly gone.I still could not believe it. Just a few days ago, he was still sitting at the breakfast table with us.He was still joking about wanting to go to Hawaii. He even shouted at the beach earlier that he loved us.A grave was all that remained now.My chest tightened every time I remembered him.I looked at Sienna again.Her hand was clutching the ed
Emily's POV People would believe what they saw. Sienna.Oh, Sienna must be crying right now.“The game has just begun,” I whispered in satisfaction.My smile widened. And I was going to win.I threw myself onto the plush sofa, letting out a long breath of victory, of course.
Sienna's POV Maximilian stopped pushing the cart and looked at me. “I want to tell him that I can write my name more neatly now. And I want to say that I listened to Mommy.”My chest warmed. “Daddy will be proud.”We turned into the bread section. Noah immediately pointed at Liam’s
Sienna's POV In the rearview mirror, the school gate grew smaller and smaller. And with it, I felt as though I was leaving behind one small, warm world entering another that demanded I be stronger.Today wasn’t only about a book cover.Today was about proving that I could still stand
Emily's POV I stood up and opened Liam’s wardrobe. Inside, several of his crisp white shirts hung neatly, perfectly folded.I took one.The shirt still smelled clean hotel laundry, not Liam but the camera wouldn’t know the difference.Quickly, I slipped off my own blouse and put







