LOGINLiam’s POV
I tried to keep going, to stick to my routines as if nothing had changed. But the truth was, every morning when I woke up, I had to force myself out of bed. Every night, the silence in this room quietly judged me. No more light footsteps from Sienna. No more aroma of her favorite tea welcoming me home from work. What remained was an empty space, and a regret that refused to leave.Noah still often asked when Mommy was coming home. Sometimes he just mumbled to himself, someNoah's POV "Rachel."She turned around looking a little surprised that I spoke up. Her eyebrows went up slightly. "What?"I could see that she did not care about what I was going to say but I did not care about that.I put my hand in my jacket pocket. Pulled out a ticket. I held it for a moment then gave it to her.Rachel looked at the ticket at me. "What is this?"I took a breath. "It is a car race." "I am going to compete in it." She looked a little confused like she did not expect me to say that.I kept talking, my voice a little stronger this time. "Maybe I am not good at painting."I looked at her being honest. "But it is not yet."Rachel did not say anything. She just kept looking at me. I could not tell what she was thinking.I clenched my fist slightly. "N
Noah's POV The cab stopped just in front of the show. I opened the door before the car was fully still. My hands gently went for a picture I had held, like it was the most precious thing in the world.Because that’s exactly what it felt like.This wasn't just a picture, it was proof of my first step.I gazed at the tall structure in front of me, fancy and packed with nicely dressed folks. The smell of paint and cloth already felt close to me even before I walked in.My heart pounded.“I’m here.”I stepped inside.The air was packed, but not loud. All talked in soft tones, looking at each work with deep care. The pale walls had artworks from different creators; some strange, some lifelike, a few really amazing.I swallowed. I couldn’t lose.I walked to the spot given to me. My hands started to peel off the cover of the picture I was holding.
Noah's POV I took a breath then I climbed out the wind felt stronger outside I stood on the edge gripping the wall and the window frame tightly.I whispered, "Do not look," but of course I did and instantly regretted it. It was too high.I swallowed hard. I had come this far. There was no turning slowly. I lowered one foot searching for a foothold, on the outer wall my fingers tightened, gripping hard to keep my balance.A little more, a little more suddenly my foot slipped. my heart shot up into my throat I almost lost my grip my body swayed dangerously but I quickly held on tighter my breathing turned chaotic.“Calm down, calm down."I shut my eyes for a second then I forced myself to focusSlowly and carefully I lowered myself further.One step. Two steps. Finally my feet hit the ground.I let go and stumbled back a few steps.I made it. I actually ma
Noah's POV Dad glanced at me quickly. His look wasn’t mad, wasn’t rough but strong enough to leave no space for a fight.“Eat first.”That was it. No explanation. No answer.Then he turned, and walked to the door, each step feeling very slow in my eyes.“Dad.”I called out again, but he didn’t stop.The door popped open, and before I could say nothing elseBang. It shut again.Click.The sound of the lock echoed through the room. I stood still, not moving or talking for a bit.Then slowly the feeling of disappointment and hurt.An empty laugh came from me. “Good,” I whispered to myself.My hands clenched again. It was not my Mommy who did not believe me now my Daddy too.No one wanted to listen to me, no one trusted me.I stared at the door for a time hoping it would open again this time.
Noah's POV I did not know how much time I had been sitting by this room door. The night seemed long too long.At first, I kept hitting it and shouting for Mommy hoping she would unlock it and hear. But as time went on even my own voice began to feel useless, swallowed by the quiet.There was no reply, no steps, no clue of anyone out there. At last, I just sat on the floor, leaning by the locked door with my head down and my breath slow but deep.Anger boiled in me, quick and unyielding. Was it truly that tough to simply wait two weeks?I scrubbed my face hard. “I’ll say it all.” I whispered quietly, trying to keep that vow.I never wanted to keep this away for always. I just needed some time, a bit more time. Two weeks. Only two weeks.After that, all would be done. I would show them. Show Mom. Show Dad. That I wasn't just having fun, that all I did had a point.So why wouldn't the
Noah'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
Sienna’s POVMy hand gripped Noah's small hand tight, while my other hand sat in Liam's. It felt odd yet so warm. The three of us walked down the mall hall, surrounded by bright lights and the murmur of people.Noah looked to the side sometimes, his eyes shining with wonder when he s
Sienna’s POV As I walked, I noticed the other people. A father cradled his fussy daughter, a mother busily checking her shopping list on her phone. They all seemed preoccupied with their own worlds, but none of them seemed devastated. For a moment, I envied the calm. But then I realized, may
Sienna's POV I glanced briefly at Liam. He walked beside me, occasionally stealing glances with a faint smile.My eyes fell on the shopping bags in his hands before returning to Noah, who wouldn’t stop chattering about his new backpack. His mouth ran on and on, full of energy,
Sienna’s POV I stared at Emily's face for a long moment, almost unable to believe the words that had just come out of her mouth. Her words were like a knife that had been sharpened for ages, then stabbed straight into my chest, slow, neat, but excruciatingly painful."Don't go back







