LOGINSienna's POV
Noah leaned forward, examining the batter as if it were a scientific experiment. “Mommy, if you stir it for a long time, what does it become?”“It becomes softer,” I answered. “So when it’s cooked later, it tastes good.”“Oh .” He thought for a moment. “That means Daddy will like it.”I froze for a brief second when the name slipped so naturally from his mouth. No hesitation, no pause. Just the innocent certainty of a child who believed his father was part of eveLiam's POV “How is my wife?’’The doctor let out a sigh. His face showed he cared."Mr. Liam."He paused for a moment before continuing. I prepared myself for the news."Mrs. Sienna's condition has gotten much worse."Those words stopped me in my tracks. I felt cold over."She had a bad panic attack."The doctor spoke gently. Each word hurts."She kept hitting the door and walls.""She even tried to hurt herself when we stopped her from leaving."I looked down. Tears made my vision blurry."We were afraid she would hurt herself badly."His eyes were full of sympathy. His voice was calm."We had to take measures."I swallowed hard. Fear felt heavy inside me."What kind of measures?"His voice got even softer. He chose each word carefully.
Liam's POVMy phone rang just when the meeting was about to end. The hospital's number was on screen.For a while my heart began pounding. I spoke without thinking"Hello."A nurse talked at the end. She seemed calm. I could hear she was anxious."Good afternoon, Mr. Liam I’m sorry to bother you, we need you to go to a hospital far away."My chest felt tight fast. I held the phone more tightly."What happened? Is Sienna okay?"The nurse stopped before she spoke. Her pause made me feel more afraid."Mrs. Sienna had another episode."I moved my chair back. Every urge told me to go now!"I'm on my way."I took my coat and auto keys without waiting for the talk to end. I didn't even have time to tell my coworkers.My hands held the wheel real tight, and my knuckles got white. Every muscle in my body was stif
Sienna's POV The nurse just went with the reason Liam had told me. I stared at the nurse for a long time. There was something in her eyes that puzzled me. She seemed like she was hiding something from me. I was too tired to keep thinking about it. My look wandered back to the door. All I wished was to go home. I longed for our home. I longed for the scent of coffee Liam made each day. "When the home is done," I asked softly, "Liam will come get me up right?" The nurse gave me a soft grin. It seemed nice, but sorrow stayed in her eyes She nodded softly. "Of course, Mrs. Sienna." I let out a soft sigh of joy. That simple reply made my heart feel a bit lighter. At least I still had something to look forward to. I sat back on the side of the bed. My eyes looked at the uneaten tray of food. The steam going up from the soup had started to go away. All things on the tray looked just like the nurse left it. "Noah loved soup like this," I whispered. A thought cam
Sienna's POV I sat still on the side of a bed. I was there for what seemed like hours, but I did not know how long it had really been. Time moves very slowly in the room. I raised my head and looked about. The walls were pale. The top was pale. Even the cloths and drapes were pale All things seemed clean and just right, but the place felt way too chilly. I put my arms around my legs and let out a long breath. All that was by me felt new. I did not know this spot. I did not know the noises coming from the hallway. Footsteps sound outside. Hospital carts roll by from time to time. Someone laughed softly. Someone else was crying. I frowned. Why was I here? Liam said our home was being fixed up? I turned toward the door. It was firmly shut. I got up and walked over. My fingers wrapped around a doorknob. I pulled gently. Nothing happened. I gave it another go with some more force. It still didn't budge. I let out a quiet sigh. "Maybe it's locked." I whispe
Liam's POV "I am scared." It felt really real when I said it. I was scared of going to an empty house and seeing Noah's room. I was scared of losing Sienna I rubbed my face with my hands. They were shaking. My voice was shaking too when I tried to hold myself Everyone tells me to be strong. I tell myself that too. I am really tired. Those words came out like I was crying. I looked down. "I lost Noah." Tears fell down my face. I could not see clearly because of the tears. I have seen my wife lose her grip on what's real. I had to pretend I was okay. It hurt a lot in my chest. Every breath I took felt heavy. I am afraid that one day I will fall apart too. The doctor just waited for me to talk. He did not interrupt me. "Mr. Liam being strong does not mean you are not allowed to hurt." I closed my eyes slowly. His words meant a lot to me. I realized that I had been trying to save Sienna. I had not allowed myself to grieve. I had not really cried for Noah. I w
Liam's POV I never thought I would say those words. "I agree, Doctor." It is a sentence but it feels like it is tearing my heart apart. My eyes go to Sienna, who is sitting there quietly. The doctor and nurses tell us that she needs to stay in the hospital for treatment for a while. Sienna just gives a nod. She does not ask any questions. She does not get angry. She does not cry. That scares me more than anything The Sienna I know would have said no. She would have. Cried while calling out for Noah. The woman sitting in front of me now looks too tired to fight. That hurts me more than I can handle. One of the nurses comes over. Asks Sienna to follow her to her room. I stand up. Take Sienna's hand. She looks at me. Her eyes are empty. They are still searching for comfort. "Liam." I force a smile even though it is hard. "I will come see you every day." She nods slowly. A moment later she looks at me again. "If I get better," she says, looking down for a moment
Sienna's POV My steps hadn’t gone far before I saw Liam’s body moving toward me—quickly. I froze for a moment, but as soon as I realized, instinct told me to turn away. I wasn’t ready for this. Not here. Not now.The sand beneath my feet felt heavy, as if pulling at my stride to slow me
Sienna's POV We were still walking side by side, our steps slow as we made our way along the shoreline, now gradually crowded with visitors. Some children laughed joyfully, sand flying as they ran, and the sound of the waves became a peaceful backdrop—yet it also made my chest tight, weighed
Sienna's POV I stepped back, away from the gathering crowd, and sat on the damp sand. My breathing was still uneven, but my body was beginning to feel real again. I didn’t notice that Liam was already standing not far from me. He watched me for a long moment, then sat down beside me, saying
Emily gave a bitter smile. “Liam, you’re not empty. You’re full. Full of wounds, full of regret. But you’re not empty.” She looked down, then sat in the chair across from me. “You know, I always believed that love could grow. That little by little, you’d see me as something new, somethi







