+15 bBONUS /b

    b106 /b

    Sienna’s POV

    The car stopped in front of the house. The night was calm, the wind only whispering lightly through the leaves, and I thought we could just walk in without a second thought, taking Noah straight to his warm room. But we stopped.

    There was someone there.

    A woman stood right in front of the house, under the soft, but enough light of the porch light to make out her face clearly. Her slender body, standing confidently, her hair neatly styled, and her dress luxuriously, clearly not just any guest. Emily.

    My heart was pounding, but not out of jealousy. More because I was unprepared. Just a few hours ago, Liam had said the words that shook my entire world, we had just taken one step home. Now here she was.

    I stood still beside the car, my fingers still sping Noah’s hand, which was starting to droop tiredly. He was oblivious, his eyes half–closed, his head tilted toward me. But my gaze was fixed on that figure, Emily.

    The porch light fell directly on her face, emphasizing everything that had been only a vague image in my mind. Elegant. Neatly arranged. It was as if he was meant to stand there, in a ce that had always felt foreign to me. My body stiffened, as if unsure of where to go.

    Liam, beside me, stopped just as abruptly. His movements were halted, his shoulders tense, as if the air around him had suddenly grown heavier. There was no sound except the faint ticking of the clock inside the house.

    I took a deep breath, trying to maintain a calm expression. But inside, my heart was trembling. A strange feeling had crept in, a mix of fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty. What I had thought would be a simple night had turned into somethingplicated just because of one figure.

    Emily stood not far from the door, her position as if deliberately waiting. Her hands dangled at her sides, her slender fingers glistening in the reflection of the light. There was no friendly smile, but no anger either. Only a calmness that made it even more difficult for me to guess her purpose.

    I nced at Noah. He was rubbing his eyes, muttering softly. His innocent face made my heart flutter even more. He had no idea what was happening. To him, tonight was just the end of a long day, filled withughter and happiness. He wanted to go home, to sleep somewhere safe. I couldn’t let Emily’s presence take that away from him.

    But my feet refused to let me move. I stood beside the car, my body held back by something invisible. Images of the past and possible futures collided in my mind. What if Emily’s presence wasn’t just a casual visit? What if everything I’d just begun to build with Noah, and with Liam, would crumble before it could solidifyb? /b

    b1/4 /b

    106

    The night air grew colder. The wind rustled the leaves, creating a soft sound that seemed tough at my silence. I bent down slightly, stroking Noah’s head. That small gesture was my way of holding on, pretending I still had control.

    Liam took a step first, but only one. Then he stopped, straightening. I saw the tense side of his face, his jaw clenched. There was something about him he was trying to hide, but it was clear to me, a feeling of unpreparedness.

    Emily remained silent. She didn’t move, just staring at us, as if waiting for the right moment to what? I didn’t know. But that look was enough to make me want to turn around, get back in the car, run as far away as possible.

    But I couldn’t. Not tonight. Noah gripped my hand tighter, and in that grip I found a reason to stay. Even though my whole body was screaming to leave, I knew I had to be here. No matter what happened, I couldn’t run anymore.

    I straightened, staring straight ahead. The first step was heavy, but bI /bforced my feet to move. Noah remained in my arms, his head now resting on my shoulder, warm and trusting.

    Each step closer made the air around me grow denser. It was like an invisible wall between Emily and me, one that could only be broken through with courage I didn’t yet fully possess. But I knew, tonight I had no other choice.

    The house was behind her, Emily was before me, and my future was in my hands, in a child who just wanted to go home. So I kept walking, though my heart was beating so loudly I thought the whole night could hear it.

    Emily smiled faintly, then looked at Liam.

    “Liam,” her voice was soft, almost a whisper in the night breeze. “I miss you.”

    I froze. The words hit me like a sudden storm. But before I could catch my breath, Emily’s eyes caught mine and then fell on Noah, who was holding my hand tightly. A look of surprise immediately crossed

    her face.

    “Why is Sienna here?” she asked, hesitantly, her voice no longer as gentle as before, now filled with

    disbelief.

    Liam took a deep breath, one hand instinctively grabbing my arm as if to signal me to stay by his side.

    “Emily, why are you here?” he asked tly, but I could sense the coldness in his tone, deliberately

    maintaining politeness.

    Emily smiled wryly, “My work is done. I’m done thinking too.” She stared at Liam for a moment longer, as if trying to find the answer in his eyes. “I think I know what I want. But why is Sienna here, Liam?”

    Liam and I stared at each other. The silence between us felt long, as if words wouldn’te out, even

    106

    +15 bBONUS /b

    though thousands of thoughts were already colliding in my head.

    Then Noah’s voice broke it all.

    “Mommy and Daddy are getting back together!” he eximed loudly, with a pure, innocent enthusiasm thatpletely ignored theplexity of the situation. “Mommy ising back to live here!”

    Emily’s face froze, her eyes wide, and she even took a small step back.

    I froze not because Noah misspoke, but because his voice sounded like a giant hammer smashing through the wall I was still trying to erect.

    Then, without Liam or I having a chance to respond, Noah red at Emily with his small, pouting face and said firmly, “Auntie, don’t get close to Daddy anymore! Daddy is only for Mommy!”

    “Oh my God,” I muttered softly, holding my breath and reflexively looking down.

    Emily looked truly shocked now. Her gaze shifted from Noah to me, then to Liam, as if waiting for someone to exin everything.

    107

    b107 /b