ienna’s POV
I lowered my head<b>. </b>The wound inside me tore open even wider when Liam responded to the suggestion with a tone as if it had Just saved the morning.
“Yeah, that’s a much better idea. I’m not even sure that food is safe if you’re the one cooking. What if it’s contagious?”
The
words–cold, cruel, and tossed out <b>so </b>carelessly–made my eyes sting with heat. But I didn’t cry. Not in <b>front </b>of them.
I just bent down and started picking up the shards of ss from the floor<b>, </b><b>one </b>by one, with my bare hands. The maid rushed to grab a broom, but I stopped her.
“I’ve got it,” I whispered.
Emily said nothing more. She gently pulled Noah away and started chatting with him about their ns for the day. Liam chose to walk off to prepare the car, leaving the kitchen inplete silence once more.
I stayed there, picking up the pieces of ss, wiping the floor clean from the spilled water.
In that silence, I tried to gather what remained of my pride, scattered <b>like </b>the broken ss beneath me.
My body was still hot, sweat soaking my temples and neck, but I stayed on my feet. I kept moving.
As if the moment I stopped, everything would copse for good. As if I still had one reason left to hold on.
<b>Even </b>though… There were only two days left.
I could get through three days. Couldn’t I?
When they finally left the house–Noah’sughter echoing outside, the car door shutting behind them–I stood behind the kitchen curtain, watching from afar.
Liam opened the car door for <b>Emily</b>, <b>and </b>Noah sat in the middle, holding both their hands. So cheerful, soplete, so easily reced<b>… </b><b>so </b>easily forgotten.
I gripped the edge of the curtain tightly, my fingers trembling despite the warm morning air. My eyes followed that small figure
-now the center of a world that had no ce left for me.
Noahughed as Emily kissed his cheek, and Liam leaned back in his seat with a chuckle. As if… as if nothing was missing from their lives.
As if my absence brought them peace. As if my not being there was the best decision for everyone Except for me.
I thought it would be easier to see them happy. I thought I was mature enough <b>to </b>ept that Noah’s happiness was more important than anything else. But the pain still crept in.
It didn’t care how much logic I threw at it. It stayed. Solid. Cold.
My tears almost fell as the car slowly drove away from the front yard. I stepped back a few paces and slid down to sit against the kitchen wall, my breath heaving as if I had just run miles. When really… I had only stood.
<b>Only </b>watched.
Only <b>realized</b>… not a single one of them looked back at the window. Not one searched for me.
No “Where’s Mommy?” from Noah.
No backward nce from Liam.
No hesitation in Emily’s eyes.
They didn’t look back. And I knew–that was the truth.
I slowly stood up, took a deep breath, then turned on the kitchen faucet<b>. </b>I washed my <b>hands</b>, still dusty and cut from the broken ss. And then suddenly, I caught my reflection in the kitchen window.
Swollen eyes. Hollow cheeks. Hair in disarray–ubed since <bst </b>night.
This <b>woman</b>….wasn’t the Sienna I used to be. Not the strong mother. Not the warm wife<b>. </b>Not someone sought after, let alone
needed.
But in two days… it would all be over.
I just had to get through these two days. After that–whatever happened I would leave, taking with me whatever remained of my shattered self. Or maybe… I wouldn’t take anything at all.
The air outside felt just a little warmer as I stepped out of the house. My body still weak, but I knew I had to get myself checked. Not toin–just to make sure <b>I </b>could still stand for the next two days.
The trip to the hospital felt quiet. Even the usually busy streets seemed to mirror my solitude today.
In the hospital waiting room, my eyes instinctively scanned my surroundings. A young woman sat beside her husband<b>, </b>their hands intertwined<b>, </b>her head resting sweetly on his shoulder.
In the corner<b>, </b>a mother tried to soothe a crying toddler <b>in </b>her arms. Elsewhere, a man read a storybook to his little girl dressed head to toe in pink.
I gave a small, bitter smile. Everything I saw felt foreign, yet painfully familiar. Something I once… had. And now, it all seemed distant, like memories slowly fading behind a fogged–up window.
My
name
was called.
I walked into the doctor’s room with <b>slow</b><b>, </b>steady steps. The weight of my breath still lingered in my chest, but at least I didn’t faint today.
A middle–aged female doctor greeted me kindly. “What brings you here today, Ma’am?”
“I’ve been feeling dizzy often. Mild nausea. And… My body feels extremely tiredtely. Sometimes I can’t sleep<b>,</b>” I answered honestly.
She nodded, checking my blood pressure, then my temperature and heart rate. When she looked at me again, there was something soft in her eyes–so gentle that it nearly broke me.
“There’s nothing seriously wrong, physically. But based on the symptoms, this is more about exhaustion mixed with stress. Your body’s running on <b>empty</b>, maybe your mind too. You need to rest. Eat regrly. Try to ease your thoughts.<b>” </b>
I nodded slowly, swallowing her words <b>even </b>as my throat tightened.
Then, I gave <b>a </b><b>small </b>smile. “Just two more <b>days</b>, Doc. After that… Everything will be better. I promise I’ll rest.”
She seemed puzzled, but only <b>gave </b>me a brief nod. She didn’t ask further questions, and I was grateful for that.
F
There was no point in exining that my contract would <b>end </b>in two <b>days</b>. No need to tell her about the untouched lunches, theughter that wasn’t mine, or the kind of pain that leaves no bruises.
I left the room with a small stic bag filled with vitamins and mild sedatives. On the way home, I stopped by the bus shelter and let the sun warm my face.
Then something <b>caught </b>my eye.
A car stopped right in front of the shelter at the red light. My eyes instinctively turned to it. Sleek ck. A license te too familiar to ignore. My stomach dropped.
It was Liam’s <b>car</b>.
And in the front seat sat her. Emily..
Laughing. Her head tilted toward Liam, lips curved into a smile that anyone could fall for <b>too </b>easily.
In the back seat, Noah held a small plush toy, babbling cheerfully. His hands moved animatedly, his mouth wide open as if he were telling a funny story. Emily turned around, then burst outughing, pping <b>Liam’s </b>thigh as if to affirm whatever Noah had just said.
They… looked happy.