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    Sienna’s POV


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    I stared at the table, tracing its spotless surface, noticing the faint ring left behind by the cooled cup of tea. That small detail only deepened my emptiness, as if I had to cling to trivial things just to avoid being swept away by a stronger current. A hidden longing stirred, one I refused to name a longing for a life that once felt so familiar, but had always been edged with thorns.


    Slowly, I realized how difficult it was to draw a sharp line between wanting to shut the door forever and wanting to leave it slightly open. His presence wasn’t wholly disturbing, but it didn’t bringfort either. It felt like sitting between two worlds: the one that


    had ended, and the one that had yet to take shape.


    I finished thest of my breakfast halfheartedly, swallowing the cold tea. It was bitter, stinging against my tongue. And still, my


    eyes tried to avoid his figure. But in the silence, I only became more aware of how much space he filled. Even without words,


    Liam’s presence seemed to reach every corner, refusing to be forgotten.


    I leaned back, letting the chair carry the weight pressing against my shoulders. A long breath slipped out, though it wasn’t nearly


    enough to release what I carried. I felt trapped in a space that should be mine alone, now split by a past that had suddenly walked


    back in.


    Part of me wanted to stand, open the door, and tell him to go. But another part softer, weaker kept me sitting, as though I were


    waiting for something undefined. I hated admitting it. I hated that this version of me, the one who had worked so hard to grow


    stronger, could still waver just because of his presence.


    My gaze shifted to the invitation lying on the table. That in piece of paper was now a tether I couldn’t easily sever. Noah. That


    name always lit something inside me. And as long as he existed, I couldn’t truly close the doorpletely.


    Time moved painfully slow. The clock on the wall ticked on, filling the silence neither of us attempted to break. I let myself drown


    in that emptiness, my thoughts circling endlessly. About pain, about longing, about the possibilities still too faint to define.


    I knew, eventually, I would have to decide either close the door firmly or allow the crack to remain. But for now, I just sat there,


    with the shadow that refused to leave, with a heart still too hesitant to choose a path.


    Then Liam rose from his seat. Without a word, he began moving slowly around my apartment, his eyes sweeping over everything the small kitchen that blended into the living room, the wide window leading to the balcony, the ceiling, the corners of the walls.


    I frowned. “What are you doing?” I asked, suspicious.


    He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he walked toward the small sink in the corner of the kitchen, turned the faucet on, and


    watched the water run.


    “Does the water flow properly?” he asked suddenly, ncing at me with an unexpectedly serious tone.


    I stared at him in disbelief. “What?”


    “Did the roof leak when it rained heavilyst week?” he continued, looking up as if inspecting the ceiling.


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    I put my cup down. “Liam, seriously?”


    Instead of answering, he walked over to the balcony door and opened it a little, checking that the hinges didn’t stick. “Do your neighbors make noise? Do they bother you at night?”


    I rose from my chair, unease creeping in. “Liam, this is my apartment. I live here because I chose to live here. Not because I’m in


    some emergency situation.”


    He turned back, and though his face remained calm, I could see the real concern behind his eyes. “I know. But I just want to make


    sure you’refortable here. This ce… it’s too small for you.”


    I crossed my arms. “Too small ording to who? I’m perfectlyfortable.”


    “But if you’re notfortable…” He paused, looking at me intently. “I could buy you a house. Maybe by the beach. You like ces


    like that, don’t you? Quiet, away from all the city noise.”


    I stared at him as if he had just spoken anothernguage. “What?”


    “A small house, with a backyard. You could fall asleep to the sound of waves every night,” he went on with a faint smile, as though


    he were selling a dream. “You could work from there. Or write, or do whatever you want without interruptions.”


    I shook my head slowly. “Liam, you need to stop.”


    “Why?” he asked softly.


    “Because this isn’t your job anymore,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I don’t need youing here and checking on my


    life. I don’t need a new house. I don’t need someone to inspect my faucets.”


    He went quiet for a moment. Then he looked at me, his expression full of sincerity that only made my chest ache. “I know. But let


    me do it, just once in a while.”


    I met his eyes. “And after once in a while, then what? You expect me to open the door a little wider next time? Invite you in sooner? Let you stay longer? Sleep on the couch? What’s your n, Liam?”


    He lowered his gaze briefly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t have a n that far ahead. I just know that every time I’m near


    you, I feel calmer. And I want to make sure you’re okay.”


    I took a deep breath. Too deep.


    “I don’t want your pity.”


    “I don’t pity you, Sienna. I respect you. I know you can take care of yourself. But is it alright if I’m still around?”


    I looked away, down at the floor.


    “I don’t need a beach house, Liam,” I said quietly. “What I need right now is space. Space to breathe. Without the shadows of the


    past clinging to my back.”


    He stayed silent. For a long time.


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    Finally, in a voice so low it was almost a whisper, he said, “Alright. But if one day you do need me just say so.”


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    I didn’t reply.


    Because that day might nevere.


    Liam let out a soft sigh, then smiled a smile that wasn’t as bright as the one from earlier that morning. “Alright,” he said gently. “I’ll go, Sienna. I think I’ve stayed long enough.”


    I didn’t answer, only stood frozen in ce. My chest felt tight, but I couldn’t name the feeling.


    But before he actually stepped out, he turned back onest time, his gaze fixed on me. “But I wille again. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after. I don’t care if you keep pushing me away.”


    My eyes widened. I wanted to say something, but no words came. Liam only gave me a small smile before finally leaving, closing the door softly behind him.


    I sank back into my chair, staring at the door now shut tight. It felt as though something long locked away had been forced open, just a little. That terrified me.


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