CHAPTER 11

Chapter 11 – Ryan’s POV

The late afternoon light was fading by the time I pulled into the school parking lot, the orange glow of the setting sun casting long shadows over the cracked pavement. My stomach tightened as I saw how empty it was. Parents were gone, teachers were heading to their cars, and the usual chatter of children had quieted to a faint hum. I hated being late especially for Blair.

She was easy to spot on the bench near the far end of the playground, her small frame hunched over, shoes scuffing the gravel beneath her feet. Her backpack rested beside her, unopened. Normally, she’d be drawing in one of her sketchpads, waiting for me with that soft, patient smile. Today, she just looked… still.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I said gently, approaching.

Her head lifted, and she forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hi, Daddy.”

I crouched down, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “I’m sorry I’m late. Got caught up at work.”

“It’s okay,” she murmured, gaze dropping again.

It wasn’t okay. I could hear it in her voice. “Something happen?”

She hesitated, fiddling with her zipper. “Levi didn’t want to play today. He just stayed inside and read.”

That lodged deep in my chest. “Did he say why?”

She shook her head. “He just seemed… sad.”

I glanced toward the building. “Is he still inside?”

She pointed. “With Ms. Tessa.”

We walked toward the classroom. Through the narrow window, I spotted him—small at his desk, head bent over a book far beyond his years. He looked serious, focused… and alone.

I stepped inside, but a young teacher intercepted me immediately. “Mr. Steward, you can’t speak with Levi.”

My brow furrowed. “Why not?”

She handed me a paper. The heading hit me like a punch: Restraining Order. Filed this morning.

Amanda.

The teacher’s voice was calm but firm. “We have instructions to prevent contact. I’m sorry, but you need to leave.”

I stared at the paper, then at Levi, still buried in his book, completely unaware of any of this. My jaw tightened. “I understand the order,” I said slowly, “but it’s almost dark outside, and he’s the last kid here. It won’t look good if people see a child left alone at school because his mother didn’t pick him up.”

The teacher hesitated. “Ms. James probably just—”

“Probably,” I cut in. “But ‘probably’ won’t matter if something happens to him while he’s sitting here waiting. I’ll take him to her. Straight to her. You can even call ahead if you want.”

She studied me for a moment, weighing my words. I kept my expression steady, controlled, but inside i was braced for her to say no. Finally, she sighed. “Fine. But straight to her.”

“Straight to her,” I agreed.

A few minutes later, Levi was walking beside me toward the car, his small hand in mine. “Hi, Blair,” he said with a shy smile. She grinned back, and for a moment, it felt… almost normal.

I stared at them through the review mirror and how they talked like siblings.

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When we reached the hospital, the place was buzzing. Nurses and orderlies moved quickly between rooms, the smell of antiseptic hanging thick in the air. I spotted Amanda near the nurses’ station, her white coat billowing slightly as she moved. She turned and froze.

Her gaze went straight to Levi. Her expression hardened instantly.

“What the hell are you doing with my child?” she snapped, striding toward us.

I kept my voice level. “He was still at the school when I got there. It was late, Amanda. I wasn’t about to leave him sitting there alone.”

“You had no right,” she hissed, pulling Levi toward her. “Do you think this is a game? You stay away from him. Do you hear me? I’m not giving him back to you. Ever.”

Levi looked up at her, confusion clouding his little face. “Mommy…?”

Her voice softened only for him. “It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here now.” Then she turned her glare back on me, her meaning crystal clear.

I stood there for a long moment, my chest tight. “Amanda, I—”

“Leave, Ryan,” she said, low and final.

There was nothing else to say. I gave Levi one last look, then turned and walked out through the sliding doors. The cool evening air hit me like a slap, but it didn’t clear the heaviness pressing down on me.

I’d thought seeing him at the school hurt. I was wrong. This being accused like I was poison in my own son’s life this was worse.

And as much as I hated to admit it… walking away from him in that moment felt like the hardest thing I’d ever done.