<b>92 </b>


    Liam’s POV


    I had just opened the front door when the sound of small footsteps came running toward me.


    “Daddy!” Noah shouted, his face bright with joy. He immediately hugged my leg tightly, as if <b>afraid </b>I might leave again. I bent down, ruffling his slightly messy hair.


    “Hey<b>, </b>Noah,” I greeted with a smile. “How are you?”


    The moment his small body clung to me, a warmth broke through the hard walls I usually kept around myself. That hug was simple, but it melted away the exhaustion that had clung to me all day. The familiar scent of home, mixed with the faint trace of children’s soap still on his skin, made me realize how fragile time was when I spent it away from him.


    He was growing so fast, and I couldn’t ignore the truth that every time I was too busy outside, there were little moments I might have missed. His first smile in the morning, the spontaneousughter when he discovered something new, even the empty look in his eyes when he felt lonely. All of it could slip away without me even noticing.


    My eyes swept over the living room tidy, but carrying the marks of a child’s presence: toy cars neatly lined up in a corner, a storybook left open on the table, and a small nket folded on the sofa. All of it was a reminder that this house wasn’t just a ce toe back to it was a little world waiting to be filled with my presence.


    In that silence, one truth settled in I couldn’t keep living between two worlds. There was Sienna, lying in a hospital bed, her body fragile but her eyes always forcing strength. And there was Noah, who demanded my presence without ever saying it outright. Two sides pulling me with equal force, leaving me to wonder how long I could keep bncing them.


    I let out a quiet breath. My responsibility was bigger than just work demands or guarding myself from emotions. In his innocent eyes, I found the reason why <b>I </b>couldn’t fail. And somehow, the thought of Sienna returned to me, making me realize that part of the answer might lie with her, too.


    Noah looked up at me, his eyes shining though his voice carried a hint of protest. “Daddy, where were you these past two days? Noah looked everywhere, but you weren’t here.”


    I paused, exhaling slowly. Of course he would feel that way. I rarely left him for more than a night, especially without clear exnation. “Daddy was with Mommy at the hospital,” I answered softly, choosing words that wouldn’t make him panic.


    The brightness in his expression immediately faded. “Mommy in the hospital?” His voice was small, almost trembling. He looked up at me, questions filling his gaze, fear beginning to take root. “Is Mommy really sick?<b>” </b>


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    My chest tightened at that look. I knelt down to meet his eyes. “No, Noah. Mommy’s already better now. The doctor even said she mighte home tomorrow.”


    Noah’s eyes grew misty. He nodded slowly, but his gaze still searched mine as if to make sure I wasn’t lying. “Really, Daddy?”


    I gave him a reassuring smile, gently cupping his cheek. “Really. Daddy would never lie about this. Mommy just needs a few days of rest, that’s all.”


    He exhaled in relief, though a trace of worry still lingered in his eyes. “Can Noah see Mommy<b><i>?</i></b><b><i>” </i></b>he asked quietly, full of hope.


    Something warm stirred in my chest. This child so small, yet his love for Sienna was already so deep. “Of course. Today, if you want, Daddy can take you to the hospital to see Mommy.”


    Hearing that, a smile bloomed on his face again. “Yes! Noah wants to!” he cheered, hugging me even


    tighter.


    I returned the embrace, closing my eyes briefly. After two days in the hospital watching Sienna fight through pain while still forcing herself to work and nowing home only to be weed by Noah like


    this somehow, all that exhaustion felt a little lighter.


    I carried Noah to the sofa, sitting down while letting him stay close on myp. His small body radiated warmth, and I could feel the steady beat of his heart after running to me earlier. His little hand still gripped my shirt, as if to make sure I wouldn’t leave again.


    My eyes wandered across the room. A half–finished ss of milk on the table, crayon scribbles on a sheet of paper left open, and a small stuffed toy lying sideways on the floor. All of it simple pieces of Noah’s life, but full of meaning. A life I wanted to remain whole, unbroken by my absence or Sienna’s fragility.


    In my mind, Sienna’s face came back the way she endured the pain in the hospital, pale but still trying to hide her weakness. The way she bowed her head, quietly refusing attention even though her body so clearly needed it. Two days beside her in that room made me realize how hard she was on herself. Too hard. And without meaning to, I couldn’t stand by and watch her like that anymore.


    Noah shifted, leaning deeper into my chest, making me stroke his back gently. There was a peace here that I rarely felt. This moment was a reminder that no matter how busy orplicated life became, in the end, this was what mattered most. Presence. Warmth. And a family that, though imperfect, remained the gravity that always pulled me back.


    I drew in a deep breath, letting the silence of the house fill the spaces in my mind. Tomorrow, maybe I would take Noah to see Sienna. Maybe that could be the bridge that tied the three of us closer. It was the start of something I wasn’t yet brave enough to admit, but slowly, I was beginning to want.


    And when I saw Noah’s eyes light up again with excitement, I couldn’t help but smile. That boy really was like light in the middle of all the weariness. “Then let’s get ready. We’ll bring some clothes, because


    92


    tonight we’re staying at the hospital with Mommy,” I said, ruffling his hair.


    Noah immediately cheered, “Yay! We’re staying with Mommy!” His voice filled the entire living room, bringing life back into the house that had felt so quiet. He dashed to his bedroom, his hurried footsteps tapping against the wooden floor, and I could only shake my head with a smile as I watched him go.


    I followed him inside, finding him already pulling open the wardrobe and tugging out his favorite T–shirt with the dinosaur print. “I’ll bring this, Daddy! Mommy will like seeing me wear it,” he said, ncing back at me. There was both excitement and a flicker of nervousness in his expression, as if he was afraid Mommy might still be too sick to smile at him.