Sienna’s POV


    When the car stopped in front of Liam’s house, I let out a quiet sigh. The house looked warm and tidy,


    with a small, well–kept garden in front.


    Noah immediately shouted with excitement, “We’re here, Mommy!” His voice was full of cheer, and I couldn’t help but smile, even though my heart was still wrapped in doubt.


    I nced at Liam, who had already gotten out first. He opened the door for me, offering his hand to make it easier for me to step down. I wanted to refuse, but in the end, I still held his hand briefly before quickly


    pulling away as soon as my feet touched the ground.


    As we walked inside, I spoke up. “Liam, I can actually go back to my own apartment. I don’t want to trouble you for too long.”


    I knew my words sounded stiff<b>, </b>but I truly felt uneasy. After all, I had relied on him for long enough. It felt like I needed to return to my own space, my own life.


    The moment we crossed the threshold, the soft scent of wood and a faint trace ofundry soap weed <ol><li>me. Liam’s living room felt warm, with sunlight pouring in through therge window on the right side. The light gray sofa was neatly arranged, its cushions lined up perfectly. The coffee table in the center was spotless, holding nothing but a small vase filled with fresh flowers that seemed recently reced. </li></ol>


    All of it created an atmosphere of calm, as if the house was always ready to receive anyone withfort.


    I set my bag down on the sofa, trying to hide the awkwardness building inside me. Noah ran straight to the rug in front of the television, opened his backpack, and pulled out his favorite stuffed toy. His cheerfulughter filled the room, making the house feel more alive. I just watched from a distance, letting


    myself soak in that simple scene.


    Meanwhile, Liam busied himself making sure everything from the hospital was neatly arranged. His


    movements were steady, quiet, as if he was already used to keeping everything in order. I nced at him


    briefly, then quickly looked away. There was a feeling I couldn’t put into words whenever I saw the way


    he handled everything, for me, for Noah, without me ever asking.


    I stepped toward the window, pulling aside the sheer curtain that swayed slightly with the breeze. The small garden outside looked carefully tended, with flowers blooming and the grass evenly trimmed. It felt like a little slice of peace, so different from the cold, monotonous hospital room. Yet behind thatfort, something in my chest kept reminding me that this wasn’t my home, that I shouldn’t stay here for too long.


    My apartment shed in my mind. That small, quiet ce where I could set everything as I pleased, without considering anyone else. I missed that independence, even though I knew my body was still healing. Guilt seeped in, because on one hand, I owed Liam so much, but on the other, I was afraid of


    bing too ustomed to thefort he gave.


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    I leaned my back against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. My body was healing, but my heart


    hadn’t found steady ground yet. Here, with Liam, there was a warmth I couldn’t deny. But I also knew


    how fragile I could be if I relied too much on someone else’s care.


    Suddenly, Noahughed loudly<b>, </b>his voice echoing through the room. I opened my eyes and turned, seeing


    him sitting on the floor hugging his stuffed toy, his legs swinging happily. A small smile tugged at my lips. At least, for Noah, being in this house was a joy. And maybe, just for now, I could learn to ept the


    kindness being offered, even if a part <b>of </b>me still wanted to keep my distance.


    I let out another soft breath, allowing all those feelings to mix without forcing myself to decide right


    away. This house wasn’t mine, but that morning, somehow, it felt like a ce that could hold my


    weariness, even if only for a while.


    Then Liam stepped toward me, his eyes holding a serious gaze. “Sienna, I think it’s better if you stay here for now. <b>I </b>can take care of you, make sure you don’t overexert yourself. Besides, I won’t feel at ease


    knowing you’re alone in your apartment while you’re still recovering.”


    I swallowed, trying to form a reason. <b>“</b>I’ll be fine on my own, Liam. And I don’t want to disrupt your


    routine.”


    Before I could continue, Noah suddenly chimed in, his wide eyes full of hope. <b>“</b>Mommy, don’t go back to


    the apartment. Just stay here with me and Daddy. I can take care of you too. I promise I won’t be


    naughty.”


    Those simple words struck me right in the heart. Noah stood in front of me, his little hands clutching his small bag tightly, as if to show his sincerity.


    I froze<b>, </b>my resolve softening. How could I refuse when my own son was the one pleading like that?


    Noah’s gaze seemed to pierce through all my defenses. There was a pure sincerity in his words that I couldn’t turn away from, a request that came straight from the innocent heart of a child who only wanted his parents together. My shoulders slowly dropped, as though the weight I had been forcing myself to


    carry had finally slipped away.


    I looked away briefly, searching for something to hold onto in the room. The neat sofa, the sunlight spilling in through the window, the warm scent of the house, they all seemed to tie me closer. Everything appeared so simple, yet behind it was afort I couldn’t find anywhere else.


    Noah still stood there, waiting, as if his whole world would fall apart if I said something that didn’t match his hopes. Meanwhile, inside me, my heart’s voices shed loudly, between the urge to keep my distance and the undeniable pull toward this fragile <b>yet </b>precious togetherness.


    I lowered my gaze slightly, looking at the little face that had always been my source of strength. In his eyes, I saw hope, and also the fear of being left behind. And I knew that no matter how much I wanted to protect myself from dependence, I couldn’t hurt his heart just because of my own ego.


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    The air felt heavier in my chest, yet there was also warmth slowly filling the empty space. Perhaps, at


    least for now, epting Noah’s wish wasn’t a weakness. Maybe this was instead a way to give me time,


    time to truly heal, not only physically, but also my heart.


    I stepped closer to him. There was a mix of surrender and relief that made me realize that even though


    doubts still lingered, I didn’t always have to fight. Sometimes, perhaps, I could allow myself to take


    shelter in this simple love.


    Liam added, his voice calm yet filled with conviction. <b>“</b>You’re not a burden, Sienna. I truly want to make


    sure you recover fully. And Noah will be much calmer with you here.”


    I lowered my head, letting out a long breath. On one hand, I didn’t want to add to Liam’s load. But on the other hand, there was afort I couldn’t deny. Noah looked so happy, so hopeful.


    Finally, I nodded slowly. “Alright, I’ll stay here for a while. But only until I’ve fully recovered.”