<b>100 </b>


    Sienna’s POV


    The dining table in front of me was now filled with the dishes Liam had just finished. The savory, fragrant aroma filled the dining room, making my stomach, which was still not very strong, feel the rumbling. Liam arranged everything neatly, even pouring soup into small bowls before sitting across


    from me.


    “Noah, let’s wash our hands before eating,” he said softly, looking at the child.


    Noah immediately jogged to the sink and returned with a beaming face. “Okay, Daddy!” he eximed cheerfully. He then sat down beside me again, staring impatiently at the food.


    I just watched in silence. It felt strange sitting like this, at Liam’s dining table, with Liam and Noah like aplete family. But in reality… we’d been apart for a long time, and there were many wounds that hadn’t


    fully healed. However, this simple warmth filled my chest.


    “Please eat, don’t be shy,” Liam said, ncing at me. His gaze was serious yet warm, as if he truly wanted


    to make sure I was eating well.


    I nodded slightly, picked up the spoon, and slowly scooped up the soup, which still had a faint steam. It


    was soft<b>, </b>savory<b>, </b>slightly salty, but just right. A small surprise crept into my heart. “This soup is delicious,


    “I said unconsciously.


    The corners of Liam’s lips curled up slightly. “Thank goodness you like it. I made it light on purpose, so it


    wouldn’t be too heavy on your stomach.”


    There was a brief pause. I looked down, hiding my suddenly warm face. I didn’t know how long I hadn’t


    felt such simple attention.


    I looked back down at the bowl of soup in front of me, letting the spoon move slowly, as if in that way <b>I </b>could hide the turmoil rising in my heart. Each mouthful brought afort that soothed not only my body but also my still–tired soul. The warmth of the liquid seemed to seep into the corners of my feelings that I had kept frozen.


    Across the table, Liam ate quietly, his movements regr and simple, without trying to create excessive conversation. Instead, his silence created a safe space, allowing me to breathe without feeling pressured. Every now and then, he’d nce at me or at Noah, as if to make sure we were okay. There were no big words, no promises, just small, tangible gestures of concern.


    Noah sat beside me, his face full of enthusiasm. He ate his food cheerfully, as if each dish was a great gift to him. The sound of his spoon against the bowl, the smallugh that emerged whenever he was satisfied with the taste, all filled the room, which had previously been filled with only the aroma of cooking, with a warm energy I couldn’t describe.


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    It felt like I’d returned to a time I’d only imagined–a simple dinner with the one I loved, without the shadow of emptiness.


    I let my gaze wander the room. The wooden table with simple carvings, the chandelier emitting a warm yellow light, and the clean walls with just enough decoration. There was no excessive luxury, but every corner exuded a sense of calm. This house truly reflected Liam–neat, stable, quiet, yet always able to provide a sense of security.


    With each passing second, I realized how much I’d longed for moments like this. Sitting at the dinner table, I felt the presence of someone who truly cared, not just as a guest in my life, but as a part of it. Although I still felt unfamiliar with my role here, a small part of me began to feel that perhaps I deserved this warmth, even if only temporarily.


    “I love it!” Noah eximed, chewing with his mouth full, making me hold back a chuckle. He looked so happy, savoring every bite with infectious enthusiasm. I gently patted his back, reminding him to eat slowly.


    The dinner atmosphere was calm. Noah asionally chatted about small things that happened at school. Liam listened patiently, nodding along, asionally chiming in with brief questions and answers.


    I remained silent, enjoying their conversation. There was a sense of warmth and bitterness, because I should have had moments like this a long time ago. But now I was just a guest trying to fit in in the home


    that was once mine.


    Yet, somehow, I didn’t feel any rejection. Instead, I felt epted.


    “Are you still feeling sick?” Liam asked suddenly, his eyes staring intently at me.


    I was stunned for a moment before replying, “It’s better. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore.”


    “That’s good.” He sighed softly, as if relieved by my answer. “Then eat a little more. You need the energy to recover quickly.”


    I nodded. Inwardly, I was still trying to understand why he cared so much. Was it just a sense of responsibility? Or was there something more? The questions swirled in my mind without an answer.


    I tried to calm my thoughts as I scooped up a little more soup. Noah was still busy with his te, constantly showing how much he was enjoying tonight’s meal.


    “Noah, eat slowly. Don’t choke,” I reminded him again with a smile.


    “Yes, Mommy,” he replied briefly, but his spoon was still moving quickly.


    Liam chuckled softly at Noah’s antics. “He’s always been so enthusiastic about eating. He’s always been like that,” he said, his gaze briefly flicking to me.


    I just smiled faintly. “I remember. He used to get angry if he atete.”


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    Noah turned around in surprise. “Was it me, Mommy?”


    I nodded, stroking his hair. “Yeah, when you were little, you were always fussy when you were hungry<b>.</b>”


    “So it’s the same as now,” Liam added, cing another side dish on Noah’s te.


    Noah chuckled, seemingly proud of thatment. “Yeah, because Daddy’s food is delicious!” he eximed innocently.


    That remark brought a brief silence to the dining table. I could see Liam’s eyes soften upon hearing


    Noah’s words. Meanwhile, I… could only look down, pretending to be busy with my te so as not to get


    too caught up in my rising emotions.


    “If you’re full, don’t force it,” Liam turned back to me. His voice was soft, almost making my chest tighten.


    “I can save the rest forter.”


    I nodded, running my fingers along the edge of the spoon. “Thank you, I’ll eat as much as I can.”


    Noah suddenly nudged my arm gently. “Mommy, let’s eat together again tomorrow, okay? I like it when Mommy sits here.”


    I turned to him, my heart squeezing. “We’ll see, honey.”


    Liam remained silent, but I could feel his heavy gaze on me. The atmosphere at the dining table slowly slowed down, signaling that dinner was almost over. However, a warm and slightly suffocating, feeling lingered in the air, refusing to let go.


    101