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+15 bBONUS /b

Sienna’s POV

I looked down, stabbing the bread on my te with my fork. His words touched the most fragile part of my heart. I’d often felt alone. But hearing him say it like that, I didn’t know if I could fully believe him or if I was just trying to believe him.

b“/bIf you take time off, won’t it affect your work?” I asked quietly, still unsure.

Liam shook his head. “Work can always be postponed or finishedter. But moments like this are important. I don’t want to miss Noah’s first day at school.”

I looked up and stared at him for a long moment. I glimpsed a sincerity I’d rarely seen before eyes that truly wanted to be there for their child. And I felt the burden I’d been carrying alone ease a little.

I looked down at my te again. Thest bite of toast felt easier to swallow after hearing those words. Somehow, this simple breakfast suddenly became warm not just because of the hot tea or the aroma of coffee still steaming on the table, but because of the different atmosphere.

Noah was still busy with his spoon, scraping the remaining jam off the edge of the te, then licking his lips contentedly. He asionally kicked his feet in the air, as if impatient for the day to begin. Liam, meanwhile, sat up straighter, watching him with a look I couldn’t quite decipher a mix of pride, relief, and something new.

I realized how rare it was for us to sit like this. One table, three chairs upied, no one in a hurry to get up. The silence wasn’t due to distance, but rather to each of us lost in our own thoughts. A silence that felt strangelyplete.

I smoothed the napkin in myp, then nced at Liam once more. There were fine lines of fatigue on his face, but also a calmness I’d never seen when he was busy with work. Maybe this wasn’t just about Noah. Maybe it was also about him learning to return home not just to home, but to the role he’d lost.

Noah cheered happily, interrupting our solemn atmosphere. “Daddy’sing! Hooray! That means the three of us are going on a trip!”

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him so happy. I stroked his cheek, still stained with milk residue.

Yes, honey. The three of us.”

bИ /b

The atmosphere at the dinner table lightened after that. Noah began to tell me about what he imagined at

school: a big field, swings in the park, friends who wanted to y ball with him. Liam and I nced at

each other asionally, asionally smiling at our son’s innocent imagination.

In my heart, I wondered: maybe this was an opportunity. A chance to give Noah a beautiful memory of his family, of his father and mother both present. But on the other hand, I was also afraid. Afraid that this togetherness would be temporary, afraid that I would once again give him hope that would ultimately be

b174 /b

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shattered.

After breakfast was over, I cleared the table while Liam helped Noah change into more presentable clothes. From a distance, I could hear their voices joking around. Noahughed loudly, and Liam joined in patiently. A strange, warm feeling crept into my chest.

I paused in the kitchen, staring at my half–empty cup of tea. When they came out of the room, Noah was already wearing a small dinosaur–print shirt and shorts, his hair neatlybed, though a few stray strands remained. Liam stood behind him, his shirt neatly adjusted and tie. But this time, it wasn’t for the office. It was for Noah.

“Ready?” he asked, looking at me.

I nodded. “Ready.”

The three of us left the house together, a simple step that felt so grand. Because today wasn’t just about finding a school for Noah. It was also about trying to be a family again, even though I didn’t know if this path would truly lead us to the right ce.

In Noah’s eager face, I saw the reason why I had to try. And beside me was Liam, who this time, at least for today, chose to be here, with us.

We walked to the car slowly. The little boy bounced up and down, holding my hand tightly, while his other hand asionally reached for Liam’s arm. It was as if he wanted to make sure we were both still together.

I stared at Liam’s back as he walked beside Noah. There was a part of me that still couldn’t believe this change. He’d actually taken time off just to apany Noah on his school search. Something he’d honestly never thought he’d do before.

“Mommy, I’ll be able to y ser at school, right?” Noah asked suddenly, his eyes turning hopefully.

I smiled and nodded. “Of course. Mommy will choose a school with a big field for you.”

“Yeay!” he shouted, making several passersby turn their heads with smiles. I chuckled along, then subconsciously nced at Liam. He smiled too, a smile I’d rarely seen in recent years.

When we reached the car, Liam opened the door for Noah and me. I was a little awkward in epting the gesture, but eventually just nodded in response. During the ride, Noah was busy talking about his dreams sometimes wanting to be a doctor, sometimes a ser yer, then suddenly an architect like the ones

he often saw on television.

I listened intently, chiming in asionally. Liam also responded, even joking with Noah until the boy burst outughing. The car was filled with their voices, and I just sat beside him, letting the warmth seep olliin. /li/ol

Between Noah’sughs, my thoughts wandered. Could we really start over? A tired part of me wanted to

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believe, but another part was afraid this was only temporary. Afraid that one day Liam would doubt himself again, seekingfort elsewhere. The wounds from before hadn’t fully healed, but in front of Noah, I had to appear strong.

I turned to Liam. He focused on driving, asionally ncing in the rearview mirror to check on Noah in the back seat. There was sincerity there, I could sense it. But was it enoughb? /b

“The first school we want to check out is uptown,” Liam said, breaking me out of my reverie. “I heard from a colleague that there’s a great program for kids Noah’s age.”

I paused for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Let’s take a look.”

Noah patted his seat cheerfully. “I can’t wait, Mommy, Daddy!”

I turned to him, smiling. “Remember, honey. School is a ce to learn, not just y. But Mommy promises, we’ll find one that will make you feel at home.”

Noah nodded firmly, his face full of enthusiasm.

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