45


    45


    Liam’s POV


    50%


    I tried to keep going, to stick to my routines as if nothing had changed. But the truth was, every morning when I


    woke up, I had to force myself out of bed. Every night, the silence in this room quietly judged me. No more light


    footsteps from Sienna. No more aroma of her favorite tea weing me home from work. What remained was


    an empty space, and a regret that refused to leave.


    Noah still often asked when Mommy wasing home. Sometimes he just mumbled to himself, sometimes he


    looked at me with eyes full of hope. And every time it happened, I had to steel myself not to fall apart in front of


    him. Because I was all he had now. I was his father. I had to be his home, even when I feltpletely lost


    myself.


    Sienna never really left my mind. Her name echoed in silence, in the random songs that yed on the radio, or


    in the clothes still neatly hanging in the closet. I didn’t know if she woulde back-or if I’d even get the


    chance to make things right. But one thing was certain: I missed her more with each passing day.


    I gently rubbed Noah’s back. “Mommy loves you, Noah. If she were here, she’d tell you this robot can still be


    fixed. She wouldn’t be mad.”


    But Noah stayed quiet, hugging me tighter.


    Emily stood a little distance away, her eyes filled with concern. She tried stepping closer, holding out the blue


    robot.


    “Noah, your blue robot is still fine. Why don’t you y with this one for now? I promise, if the red one can’t be


    fixed, I’ll get you a new one.”


    “No!” Noah cried again, this time kicking toward the blue robot. “I don’t want it! I only want the one from


    Mommy!”


    “Emily, please,” I said more firmly. “Let me talk to him.”


    Emily backed off toward the kitchen, visibly upset but keeping it in. I knew she was trying. But she wasn’t Sienna, And Noah knew that.


    I focused on my son again, rocking him gently. His sobs started to quiet down, though he still sniffled now and


    then.


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    “Noah…” I whispered, meeting his swollen eyes. “Mommy left because she had something she needed to take care of. But Daddy’s sure she misses you very much. We’ll see Mommy again, okay? But for now… can Daddy hold on to the robot? So I can try to fix it tonight?”


    He hesitated, then gave a small nod. “But don’t throw it away, Daddy.”


    “No, sweetheart. I promise I won’t. I’ll keep it safe.”


    Once he’d calmed down, I carried him to his room,id him down, and turned on the small star-shaped nightlight. I sat by his side until he drifted off, his tiny hand still gripping my finger.


    When I returned to the living room, Emily was on the couch, looking worn out.


    “Liam… I didn’t mean to-”


    “I know,” I cut her off quickly. “But to Noah, that robot isn’t just a toy.”


    She looked at me, puzzled. “I didn’t realize it meant that much to him.”


    “It’s not about the robot,” I murmured, picking up the broken arm from the floor and staring at it. “It’s about who gave it to him. It’s the only thing connecting him to Sienna right now.’


    Emily fell silent. There was nothing more to say.


    I thought the night would finally be quiet after Noah fell asleep. But not even fifteen minutes had passed when I


    heard soft footsteps from the hallway. I turned to see Noah standing at the living room doorway, sleepy-eyed


    and his hair tousled.


    “Daddy…” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “I’m hungry.”


    I stood and walked over to him, lifting his small body into my arms. His face was still puffy from crying, but his


    eyes looked at me clearly, as if waiting for an answer.


    “You weren’t hungry at dinner?” I asked softly, brushing his hair aside.


    He shook his head. “I wasn’t hungry then. But now my tummy’s making noise.”


    I sighed, ncing toward the kitchen where the light was still on.


    “He’s hungry?” Emily asked, managing a weak smile.


    I nodded.


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    “What if… we go out to eat?” she suggested quickly, her voice attempting cheerfulness. “Get some fresh air


    too.”


    I looked at the clock. It was nearly ten p.m.


    “Are there even ces still open thiste?” I asked, doubtful.


    “There’s a 24-hour family diner downtown,” she said confidently. “It’s quiet and the food’s good. I used to go


    there a lot.”


    I looked down at Noah, still resting his head on my shoulder. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea. A change of scenery


    might help calm him. Besides, I hadn’t eaten a proper dinner either.


    “Alright,” I finally said. “But only if Noah wants to go.’


    He lifted his head and looked at me. “Do they have chicken soup?”


    “They definitely do,” Emily chimed in, trying to sound enthusiastic. “And maybe your favorite chocte


    milkshake too.”


    A faint smile appeared on Noah’s face. That was all the answer we needed.


    I nodded. “Okay. Let’s get dressed first, yeah?”


    Emily headed to her room, while I brought Noah back to his to help him into a jacket and long pants. When we


    returned to the living room, Emily was ready with a small bag in hand and a more rxed expression.


    The three of us stepped out into the night. The streets were quiet, the air cool against our skin, but Noah’s steps were lighter than they had been hours before.


    Even though there was still so much unresolved between us, that night-at the very least-we were walking forward together. Trying to rebuild what had cracked. Or at least… to fill the space Sienna had left behind.


    11:15 AM Tue 2 Sep