Sienna’s POV

b+15 /bbBONUS /b

The aroma of toast filled our small kitchen. I had woken up earlyb, /bpreparing a simple breakfast. Meanwhile, Liam, who was usually busy rushing to get ready for work, was sitting rxed bat /bthe dining table, his shirt neatly trimmed, but his tie still syed across hisp. Noah sat next to me, wiggling his legs as he chewed greedily.

I watched them both and smiled faintly. Although many wounds still hadn’t healed, at least I could see Noah eating happily, and Liam no longer drifting away.

The aroma of warm coffee mixed with the scent of freshly toasted bread filled the morning air. I ced a te of scrambled eggs on the table in front of Liam. He nced at me, his lips curling slightly, then immediately began to spoon his breakfast. It was a simple smile, but it was enough to warm my chest.

b“/bNoah, eat slowly. Don’t sway your legs like that, you’ll spill,” I admonished gently.

Noah just chuckled, his face smeared with strawberry jam. “It’s so delicious, Mommy. The bread and eggs are just right!” he said, making me spontaneously turn to him with pride.

Liam smiled too, looking at Noah lovingly. “Daddy agrees. Mommy is a great cook.”

I raised my eyebrows, pretending not to be affected by thepliment, but my heart was actually fluttering a little. “Don’t just say it sweetly. If you like it, finish it all,” I replied, trying to sound lighthearted.

Liam chuckled, then took another spoonful. “Okay, I’ll prove it.”

The three of us ate in a different atmosphere. There was no tension like before, no piercing silence. Instead, Noah’s boisterousughter bridged the gap between us. I asionally stole nces at Liam. His hair was still a bit messy, though his shirt was neat. The tie lying on hisp seemed to confirm that this morning he wasn’t just “passing by” the house, but was truly present,

“Daddy, don’te home toote,” Noah’s voice broke my reverie. He looked at Liam with hopeful eyes. Because I want to show byou /bthe dinosaur drawing I just made.”

Liam looked at him, then nodded. “Daddy, try. I want to see it in person, not in photos.”

Noah cheered slightly, his face beaming. I looked down, holding back a smile. The answer was simple, but it meant so much to my son and secretly to me, too.

I brewed my btea/bb, /bthen spokeb. /bb“/bI have ns today.”

Liam looked up, his eyes meeting mine. “What ns?”

I stared at Noah for a moment before answering. b“/bI want to find a school for Noah. After he graduated

120

b+15 /bbBONUS /b

from kindergarten yesterday, he has to go to elementary school, right?b” /b

Noah immediately turned his head, his eyes sparkling. “School? Mommyb, /bbreally/bb?/bb” /b

I nodded, stroking his hair. “Yes, honey. Mommy wants to look for good schools for byou/b. So byou /bbcan /bbmeet /blots of friends.”

His smile widened, as if school were a grand adventure. “I want to! I want to have lots of bfriends/bb!/bb” /b

bI /bchuckled at his enthusiasm, but my heart was also filled with anxiety. Choosing a school was no bsmall /bmatter. I wanted to make sure Noah was in a safe, healthy, and fulfilling ce.

I sipped my tea slowly, letting the warmth sink into my throat. The words I’d just spoken echoed in my head: find a school for Noah. Simple to say, but heavy to feel.

Liam put down the small spoon he’d been stirring his coffee with. He looked at me intentlyb, /bas if to make sure I was serious. “School, huh…” he mumbled, more like he was talking to himself.

I nodded slowly. “I think the time is right. Noah needs a broader environment. He needs new friendsb, /bneeds to learn things we might not be able to fully teach at home.”

Noah, sitting next to me, seemed impatient for the conversation to continue. He was bouncing his legs rhythmically, his face full of excitement. “Mommy, Daddy, I want to learn to draw dinosaurs at school. Is that okay?” he asked innocently.

I smiled and patted his head. “Of course you can. But you’ll also learn to read, write, and count. All of that is important so you can be smarter.”

Noah nodded firmly, even though I could tell he was still more interested in his dinosaurs and colorful

crayons.

Liam sighed softly, then leaned back in his chair. “Have you chosen a school yet?” he asked, his tone neutral, but I could detect a hint of worry.

I looked down for a moment, considering my answer. “There are a few. I heard there’s an elementary school near the city park that’s quite good. There are also private schools that supposedly offer more modern learning programs, but the fees are certainly not cheap.”

Liam intertwined his fingers, staring at the table as if calcting something invisible. “I cane with byou /bif byou /bwant to look around. At least I want to know what kind of ce Noah will be going to every dayb./bb” /b

That sentence made me pause for a moment. There was a sense of relief, but also a strange oneb. /bbI /bbused /bbto /bface big decisions alone. But now Liam was offering me a shoulder to share. I didn’t know whether bto /bept it easily or maintain my distance.

b“/bNoah, do you want a school close to home or one a bit further away with lots bof /bfacilitiesb?/bb” /bbI /basked, btrying /b

b2/4 /b

120

b+15 /bbBONUS /b

bto /bdistract myself by involving Noah.

The bboy /bwas deep in thought, his face serious as if he were choosing a favorite toy. b“/bbJust /bbone /bclose, Mommy. So I won’t get tired. But if there’s a yground, I want one with a slide.b” /b

Liam and I both chuckled at his answer. For some reason, the sound ofughter made the bsmall /bbkitchen /bfeel warmer.

I sipped the rest of my tea and then got up from the chair. “Then, after we finish cleaning the house, we can go surveying. Noah, you have to get ready, okay? Wear neat clothes.”

“Ready, Mommyb!/b” he said cheerfully, his hands clenched into fists like a little soldier.

I nced briefly at Liam, who was still staring at me. There was something in his eyes a mix of doubt, determination, and perhaps a sense of redemption. I don’t want to describe it too much, but it was enough to make my chest flutter faintly.

Liam suddenly put down his spoon and said, “Thenb, /bI’ming.”

I turned quickly to him, a little surprised. “Coming? Don’t you have work? Today is a weekday, Liam.”

He leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but his eyes serious. “I can take the day off. Noah’s business is more important.”

I paused, staring at him. A strange feeling spread through my chest, a mixture of relief, emotion, and awkwardness. I’d been used to taking care of many things on my own, including Noah. bNow /bLiam had suddenly offered himself, as if wanting to take back his role.

b“/bNoah is our child, Sienna,” he said again, as if reading my silence. “I don’t want you to feel like byou /bhave to carry everything alone.”

X