CHAPTER 9

Amanda's POV

The white fluorescent lights of the hospital glow softly overhead as I lean against the counter in my office, eyes fixed on my computer screen but my mind elsewhere. My fingers hover over the keyboard, unmoving, the patient records I'm meant to finalize staring back at me like silent reprimands. I’ve always been good at compartmentalizing, but lately, something is off.

Adam noticed it too.

"You’ve been zoning out a lot," he said earlier this morning, handing me a fresh cup of coffee. "And you keep checking the security feed on your phone every ten minutes."

I sigh, pushing the cup aside now as I remember that conversation. Adam knows me too well. Maybe it’s the stress, maybe it’s Veronica's threats still lingering in my mind like poisonous fog—but I can’t shake the feeling that everything is unraveling.

The door opens and Adam steps in, looking at me with quiet concern.

"You haven’t left this office since lunch. You okay?"

"Just tired," I reply automatically.

Adam sits across from me, resting his elbows on the table. "Amanda, talk to me. What’s going on?"

I don’t want to say it. Don’t want to voice my fears aloud because that makes them real. But as I look at him, I realize that if there’s anyone who can help me carry this, it’s Adam.

"Veronica came by," I admit. "She threatened to take Levi. Said she’d ruin my career if I didn’t cooperate."

Adam’s face darkens. "That witch. I should’ve guessed."

"She knows I work here. I don’t know how but she does. And now I’m worried. Not just about Levi, but about the Steward family digging their claws into our lives again."

He reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. "You’re not alone in this. I’ll come get Levi. Just give me until the end of the week. I’m finishing the research conference out of state, but I’ll fly back immediately after. You need to focus on your work without having to glance over your shoulder every second."

Relief washes through me. I know it’s only a temporary fix, but having Levi out of reach even for a little while feels like a layer of armor I desperately need.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"Until then," Adam adds, pulling out his tablet, "let’s find a school nearby. One with a good security system."

We scroll through options together, but time isn’t on our side. The hospital’s demanding schedule leaves me with limited options. Finally, I land on a prestigious private school just four blocks away.

It’s small, modern, well-reviewed, and most importantly, it has a strong after-school program and advanced security. I make the call, pull a few strings, and by noon the next day, Levi has been granted a trial enrollment.

I adjust the collar of his uniform in the car, my heart thudding with nerves. Levi beams up at me, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in the shadows.

"You look so handsome, baby," I say, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Do I really get to go to school today?" he asks excitedly.

"Yes. But you must stay close to your teacher and don’t talk to strangers. Mommy will pick you up as soon as she can, alright?"

He nods solemnly and takes my hand as we walk into the school together. The building smells like fresh paint and hand sanitizer, and kids' laughter echoes down the tiled hallways. I try to breathe through the tightness in my chest.

A teacher comes to greet us—a young, kind woman named Miss Tessa—who crouches to Levi’s level and speaks with the warmth of someone who truly loves children. I immediately like her.

"Don’t worry, Dr. James. He’ll be in safe hands with me."

I give a grateful nod, lingering longer than I should. But eventually, I turn away and walk briskly back to the hospital, trying to ignore the ache in my chest.

---

The day passes in a blur of patients, emergencies, and paperwork. I find myself glancing at the clock every fifteen minutes. I told myself I’d go get Levi on time, but time slips away.

By the time I arrive at the school, the playground is nearly empty. A few children are still outside, waiting with teachers. And that’s when I see him.

Levi is sitting on a swing—laughing.

Next to him, pushing another swing, is Blair.

I freeze.

The world seems to tilt.

How did I not know Blair went to this school? Why didn’t anyone tell me?

My heart hammers against my ribcage as a surge of panic rushes through me.

No. No, this can’t happen.

Blair and Levi. Half-siblings. Neither of them knowing. But what if Veronica finds out? Or Selene? Or Ryan?

I swallow hard, forcing my feet forward. I keep my posture neutral, my expression unreadable.

Levi sees me first. "Mommy! Blair pushed me on the swing! She's really fun."

Blair looks up and smiles politely. "Hi, Dr. James."

My throat dries. "Hi, sweetheart. Ready to go, Levi?"

"Can I stay for just five more minutes?"

"Not today. Maybe next time."

I take his hand and guide him toward the car. Once we’re out of sight, my grip tightens instinctively.

Levi glances up. "Did I do something wrong, Mommy?"

"No, baby. Not at all. Mommy’s just…tired."

But inside, I’m screaming.

That night, I sit at the edge of my bed with my laptop open and my hands clenched in my lap. I type out a message to the school administration, inquiring if there are other private options or if a transfer can be considered.

The response is disappointing. Due to short notice, no schools in the area have both the availability and the security protocols I need.

Damn it.

I shut my laptop, heart sinking.

What am I supposed to do now?

---

The following morning, I hold Levi’s hand a little tighter as we approach the school. Blair waves at us from the front gate. Levi waves back excitedly.

I meet Blair’s eyes. There’s something so innocent about the girl—it twists my heart. Blair has done nothing wrong. Neither has Levi. But the world around them is full of deceit.

How long until someone connects the dots?

I pull Levi close for a hug.

"Mommy loves you," I whisper into his hair.

"I love you too," he giggles.

I let him go, then turn on my heel, feeling more helpless than I have in years.

When I return to my office, I find a new patient chart on my desk. A high-profile patient. An emergency. I barely have time to process anything as I’m pulled into surgery.

Hours later, I emerge exhausted, my hair messy under my cap, my lips dry.

My assistant hands me a drink iced, just how I like it. I take a grateful gulp.

I don’t know it’s been spiked.

My head begins to ache. A fog drifts behind my eyes.

I shake it off.

I have Levi to worry about. And Blair. And the damn Steward family.

I don’t know what’s coming. I don’t know what selena has in stored

All I know is that for the first time in a long time, I feel truly vulnerable. And that terrifies me more than anything.