<b>185 </b>


    Sienna’s POV


    The door was approached slowly with ease. Coolness was present outside the house during the night, with the scent of flowers emanating from the small garden in front. I gazed at the sky and then nced back at Liam, whose face was softly illuminated by the porch light.


    Despite the heat that persisted throughout the night, I still felt Mrs. Wilson. The hugs from Wilson are still on my mind.


    “Thanks for joining me, sweetheart,” she whispered. “I couldn’t be happier with you tonight.”


    I stayed silent by nodding, anxious that my voice would be shaken if <b>I </b>spoke.


    Abination of gratitude and emotion pressed into my chest at the same time. We finally managed to talk it out without the weight of history weighing down our conversation.


    I felt like there was no noiseing from inside the car. Noah slept on his back, resting his head on a small pillow. The engine’s gentle hum and the blurry, flickering windshield of streetlights made the moment even more peaceful. Liam, who was driving with a fixed focus, caught my eye. It’s not the cold, distant look that characterized his face tonight.


    I could still hear his words at the dinner table echoing in my head, “I want to learn to love you.”


    Those words kepting back to haunt me, making my heart skip a beat every time I heard them. For a period of five years, it never urred to me that I would hear such things from him again.


    With a low, raspy voice, he suddenly asked, “Are you feeling tired?”


    Slowly, I shook my head. “No. I’m still in disbelief about what urred tonight.”


    Liam briefly turned around, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Me too.”


    Perhaps it’s time for a change to ur.


    From the window, I gazed at how the streetlights reflected the rain and said gently, “I’m d your mom got on with it. But I was concerned that she might still feel guilty or resentful. What happened?”


    “Mom has been feeling remorse for a long time,” Liam dered.


    My efforts to fix things may have taken a while, too.


    For the moment I just kept quiet<b>, </b>trying not to say too much. “I don’t me anyone, Liam. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here.”


    His gaze returned to me, this time with a longer expression. “Me too, Sienna.”


    There was a whispered sense within him, and there was an unsettling feeling in my chest that made me <b>feel </b>like <b>I </b>could breathe.


    Slowly<b>, </b><b>the </b>car drove through the crowded streets. The city lights glimmered across the ss, leaving Liam’s face in shadow as he drove. Noah slept soundly in the back seat, his breath perfectly steady.


    185


    <b>+25 </b><b>Bonus </b>


    Reversing my view of the window, I looked at him. There was no sound from the streets, only the engine hump and the wind sliding softly through the broken window. Unlike tonight, it felt warm andforting.


    Liam broke the silence by saying, “Thank you for your presence tonight.”


    I sat face to face with him, stunned. “I ought to express my gratitude. Your mom looked so happy. Her smile has nevere before for me.”


    With a gentle nod, Liam smiled. He expressed his desire to sit at the same table again.


    “She once mentioned that the most distressing thing was not losing someone, but acknowledging the possibility of fixing things while being too scared to do it.”


    The thought crossed my mind, “Maybe we were too broken to bear that pain again. How I felt?”


    He murmured, “Yes, but if we don’t try, it will never be different this time.”


    His words left asting impression on me. I knew he was right. We had experienced a time of love that was more like squeezing than weing. Tonight, I experienced a slight sensation in my mind that something new had urred, the ability to believe again. The possibility of a second chance was present, possibly.


    Liam nced at me and spoke in a rxed tone. “Mom’s previous conversation made me wonder if everything was meant to be. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Learning to love with maturity would be beneficial.”


    Upon looking at him, I was seeking for truth. No lies, no hesitation. Just calm sincerity.


    My response to “Liam” was a little, “I don’t know where we’re headed in the future.”


    Unless it’s a new beginning, I n to take it all in one go. No grand promises, no rushing. I simply encourage us to be truthful with ourselves and one another.‘


    He nodded, as if to grasp the situation. “That’s what I wanted too, Sienna. No pressure.”


    he


    It was just a little louder outside in the back seat and I had to turn around. Even as Noah fell asleep, maintained a still smile and seemed to be dreaming of peace. With a soft, unfeeling expression, Liam looked back at the road and then stared for ten minutes.


    “He’s so sound asleep here, I just hope he grows up in a home of love, not away and in an argument.”


    I nodded with a soft voice, my heart warming. “We’ll make it as smooth as possible.”


    A few minutes were spent in silence. Only theforting silence was left, as words could not express anything meaningful.


    The clock on the dashboard caught my eye, and I was just ten. Streetlights glimmered through the windshield as I gazed into view of the familiar sequence of houses. My home.


    A stop was made in front of the house by its car. Upon exiting, Liam opened the door for me. Upon exiting, I detected the dampness of the night air against my body.


    “Noah is drifting off,” he said, lifting our son from his back seat with ease. “I’ll take him to bed.”


    I followed him, watching his tenderness as he pulled Noah inside. This was a scene that would have never been possible at any point in time. However, he has taken to it without any hesitation or awkwardness.


    185


    <b>+25 </b>Bonus


    In the doorway, I observed them with great silence. My chest felt warm, and my eyes were stinging for no discernible reason.


    When Liam turned, he smiled and said, “He’s doing great. He was asleep. Like an angel.”


    Back at the living room, I smiled and walked back to it. “Do you have any tea?” I asked.


    Liam nodded. “Sure. But let me make it.”


    It was nearly humorous. “Can you tell me what’s happening while I’m brewing tea? That’s new.”


    With a smile on his face, he started the kettle in the kitchen. “I’m learning to be able to serve as an effective husband.”


    Despite being so direct, his words caused me to feel like I could walk on air again. While sitting at the dinner table, I watched him with an awkward but honest expression. But I also had the impression that it was a different kind of Liam, not cold and distant, but warmer than his real–life self.


    He ced two cups of tea before sitting across from the table. The soft steam erupted between us, emitting a faint aroma. We spent some time rejoicing, relishing in the stillness that was unexpectedly soothing.


    He whispered, “I’m not perfect, I know.” He was furious.


    “But I’ll try. We are in the presence of Noah and you.‘


    “}


    Despite my attempts to find any evidence of dishonesty, I was able toe across his face and discover the truth. It was my first time believing in him.


    “Liam, thank you.” I whispered, “Let’s give it a try.”


    After he nodded, we just sat there that night, silently understanding everything.


    P


    Support


    Share


    Cede


    <strong>Cede</strong> is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.