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Sienna’s POV

The car slowed down and finally stopped in front of a restaurant with an elegant signboard,rge windows, and

warm lights glittering from inside. I looked around in confusion, even ncing at Liam with my brows raised.

“Why are we stopping here?” I asked.

Liam nced at me briefly, a small curve on his lips. “Because we’re going to eat here. We’ve been walking around the mall all day. I’m sure you two are tired. So why not sit down and enjoy a nice meal?”

I stayed silent. This restaurant clearly wasn’t an ordinary ce you’d just walk into. From the outside alone, the atmosphere felt luxurious. I wanted to protest, to say we should just head home and I could cook there instead.

I tightened my grip on my hands resting on myp, searching for a reason to refuse without making things

awkward. It all felt too much. I lowered my gaze for a moment, sighed, then nced at Noah in the back seat.

The boy still had his face pressed against the car window, his eyes sparkling at the warm lights inside the

restaurant. He even pressed the little teddy bear he’d just bought against the ss, as if letting it “take a look”

too. Hisugh was soft but clear, full of curiosity I couldn’t bear to crush.

I rubbed my temple, already feeling defeated before even trying. “Noah, do you like it?” I asked gently.

“Yes, Mommy! Look, it’s so pretty. There are candles on the tables like in the movies!” he said excitedly.

I went silent. His innocent face was too hard to refuse.

Liam turned off the engine, leaning back in his seat with ease. His voice was low but steady. “Sienna, I know

you’re worried. But this is just dinner, it’s not something you need to overthink. I promise it won’t be a hassle for you.”

I nced at him briefly, meeting his steady eyes. There was no arrogance, no trace of showing off, just a simple

sincerity that, for some reasonb, /bmade my chest tighten.

“Noah’s already excited,” he added with a small nce at the back seat, his lips curving again.

I followed his gaze. God, the boy had already unbuckled his seatbelt, waiting for the signal to get out.

b“/bIf you feel this is too much, we can find another ce. But honestly, I just want to see you two sit down, rx, and enjoy a meal without thinking about anything else. There’s nothing wrong with that once in a while, is

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His words struck gently. I swallowed, still hesitant, but inside me there was a voice whispering: could I allow myself, just for a moment, to enjoy something without guilt?

I gripped my bag tighter on myp. “I’m just not used to it,” I whispered, barely audible.

Liam didn’t answer right away. He only gave a small nod, then looked straight ahead as if giving me time to weigh it. “That’s okay. You don’t have to be used to it. Tonight just has to be a pleasant evening. That’s all.”

A short silence filled the car. Only Noah’s little cough broke it, followed by his eager voice, “Come onb, /bMommy.

I’m hungry. Please?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When I opened them againb, /bNoah was already gazing at me

with pleading eyes, his smile so pure and innocent. I couldn’t bring myself to disappoint such a little boy.

Slowly, I nodded. “Alright. But just dinner, then we go home.”

Noah immediately cheered softly, making me smile faintly despite the heaviness still sitting inside me.

I nced at Liam. He didn’t say anything, only gave me a subtle nod that felt more meaningful than a thousand

words. There was calm in his eyes, as if he understood just how hard it was for me to give this simple approval.

My hand was already on the door handle, but my heart still pounded. It felt like stepping into a world that didn’t

belong to me.

“Yay! We’re eating here? Daddy, I want fried chicken, okay?”

Liam chuckled, turning to the back and nodding. “Of course, son. I’m sure they have really good fried chicken

here.”

Noah bounced on his seat as if he’d just been given the biggest gift. I could only take a deep breath. That child

was always so easy to please.

Liam got out first, then opened the door for me and Noah. His movement was simple, yet somehow I felt

something had shifted.

We walked inside, greeted by neatly dressed waiters who immediately guided us to a prepared table. A spot near therge window, overlooking the city slowly filling with evening lights. I sat down, carefully ncing around. The feeling of awkwardness still clung to me.

“Liam, ” I whispered once the waiter left, “you don’t have to go this far. We could’ve just eaten at home.”

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He only shrugged, locking eyes with me. “Once in a while isn’t a bad thing. Think of this as a little celebration. We started a new chapter today, didn’t we?”

His words made my heart tremble faintly. I didn’t reply right away, only bowed my head, pretending to fix the spoon on the table.

Beside me, Noah was busy flipping through the menu, though it was obvious he was only looking at the pictures. “Mommy, look! There really is fried chicken!” he eximed, pointing at the colorful page.

I chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Yes, sweetheart. We’ll order thatter.”

Not long after, the waiter returned, taking our orders. Liam asked for steak, I chose grilled salmon, and of course Noah firmly dered fried chicken with fries. The waiter smiled, then left us with the promise that the

food would be out soon.

I leaned back against my chair, trying to rx a little. The atmosphere of the restaurant was too perfect, the soft music ying, the aroma of dishes filling the air, and the dim warm lights making everything feel cozy. Yet behind it allb, /bmy mind was still in turmoil.