Unexpected visitors.

Alice POV

I woke up the next morning feeling exhausted after spending most of the previous night lost in thought. Still, I forced myself out of bed before sluggishly making my way to Bryan’s room.

“Come on, sleepyhead. It’s time to get ready for school.” I said with a gentle smile as I lightly shook his shoulder before carefully helping him sit up. My mother had been the one getting Bryan ready every morning lately, so today I decided to do it myself since she had to leave for work early.

Ever so slowly, Bryan blinked several times as his eyes adjusted to the morning light before finally looking up at me.

“G-Good morning, Mom,” Bryan greeted sleepily, his voice still thick with drowsiness.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” I replied warmly. He looked so innocent that it was hard to believe he’d been caught in a fight the day before.

I lifted him into my arms and carried him toward the bathroom.

“I’ll take you to school today. Grandma had to leave for work early.” I paused briefly. “Besides, I also want to speak with Principal Margaret.”

I let out a quiet sigh because I’d walked out on Principal Margaret yesterday without saying another word, and I was certain she hadn’t appreciated my rude behavior. Running away had been the only thing on my mind after seeing Ryder and Silas.

Bryan simply nodded before sitting quietly on the edge of the bathtub as his sleepy eyes barely open.

I helped Bryan brush his teeth before giving him a quick bath. Once he was clean, I dressed him in his school uniform and served him a bowl of cereal for breakfast.

After he finished eating, we boarded a bus, and not long afterward, we arrived at Silvermoon Elementary School.

“Mom… will you be the one picking me up after school today?” Bryan asked as I walked him toward his classroom.

I nodded with a small smile.

“Yes, Bryan. I’ll come and pick you up as soon as school is over…”

“Miss Whitmore!”

Principal Margaret suddenly called out as she walked toward me with two security guards following behind her.

“Good morning. How are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” I replied quietly. “And… I’m sorry for walking out on you yesterday. Something urgent came up, and I had to leave immediately,” I added, giving her an apologetic look.

Principal Margaret sighed. “About yesterday…” she began. “After discussing the matter with Alpha Damien, we’ve come to a decision and we believe Bryan may be too violent to remain at this school.”

She paused before continuing.

“For now, Bryan has been temporarily suspended and won’t be allowed back into school until he apologizes to Ethan.”

“What?” I exclaimed, not caring that several parents and teachers had turned to look at us. “On what grounds are you suspending my son?” I demanded. “Yesterday, you heard Bryan say Ethan hit him first, so why is he the one being punished?”

Principal Margaret lowered her gaze.

“I’m sorry, Miss Whitmore, but I believe this is what’s best for the school. Bryan resorted to violence, and he also refused to apologize for his actions…”

“Enough, Margaret. Don’t insult my intelligence!” I snapped. “Did you suspend Ethan too?”

Principal Margaret remained silent. Her silence told me everything I needed to know.

I let out a bitter scoff. “So you’re just trying to curry favor with Alpha Damien.” I shook my head in disgust. “How pathetic. You’re the principal of this school, yet you can’t even judge a situation fairly. Besides, I expected better from the person entrusted with protecting these children.”

Without waiting for another word, I grabbed Bryan’s hand and stormed out of the school, fury burning inside me.

Several parents whispered among themselves, but I was too furious to care.

As soon as I sat down on the living room couch, Bryan climbed onto the seat beside me. He had heard everything Principal Margaret and I had said at the school, yet he didn’t ask a single question. Instead, he simply sat quietly beside me, making me realize just how mature he was for a child his age.

“Bryan, Mommy needs to make a phone call. Can you please get me a bottle of water?” I asked with a gentle smile.

Bryan nodded before sliding off the couch. The moment he walked away, I quickly dialed the number of the head nurse at Mooncrest General Hospital.

“Hello, this is Alice Whitmore,” I said. “I’d like to request a day’s sick leave.” I added, deliberately making my voice sound weak and exhausted.

“Have you taken any leave this month, Alice?” the head nurse asked.

I shook my head before realizing she couldn’t see me. “No, I haven’t,” I replied quietly.

“Alright. I’ll approve your request. Just make sure you’re back tomorrow if you’re feeling better. Take care of yourself.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

After ending the call, I let out a quiet sigh. Since my mother was already at work, I had no choice but to stay home and look after Bryan.

A few minutes later, I ordered a box of pizza because I wasn’t in the mood to cook after everything that had happened. After ordering, I absentmindedly began scrolling through short videos on my phone.

“Mom.” Bryan’s soft voice drew my attention as he held out the bottle of water. “Here’s your water.”

I smiled. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

I took the bottle from his hand, but before I could take a sip, my phone suddenly began to ring.

Without hesitation, I answered it.

“Alice,” a familiar male voice said from the other end of the line. “Alice, could you open the door? I’m right outside your apartment.”

I rose from the couch and walked over to open the door.

Sure enough, Doctor Andrew was standing outside with a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a stuffed teddy bear in the other. He was dressed in black trousers and a neatly pressed white long-sleeved shirt. Without his doctor’s coat, he looked even more handsome than usual.

“Andrew,” I greeted with a smile. “What brought you here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I took the day off because I wanted to see you. I figured we could spend a little time together before your shift.” he replied with a gentle smile as he handed me the bouquet.

His words caught me completely off guard. It wasn’t often someone put this much effort into making me smile.

“I actually took the day off too,” I admitted before stepping aside. “Come in.”

“Thanks,” Andrew replied before walking inside while I closed the door behind him.

“Doctor Andrew!”

Bryan exclaimed the moment he saw him. He ran over and wrapped his arms around Andrew’s leg.

Andrew chuckled before crouching down to Bryan’s level.

“Hey, buddy. Why aren’t you in school today?” he asked gently.

Bryan frowned.

“I got into a fight yesterday, and the principal said I’m violent,” he muttered, pouting.

Andrew sighed. “Oh… so that’s how your lip got bruised. Did you get it treated?”

Bryan nodded proudly. “My mom is a nurse, so she treated me.”

Andrew smiled before ruffling Bryan’s hair. “That’s good to hear. Besides, I bought a toy for so why don’t you go play with it while I talk to your mom for a bit?”

He handed Bryan the teddy bear. “Thank you!” Bryan beamed before running happily toward his room.

Andrew slowly rose to his feet. “Alice… is everything alright?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

I nodded. “I’m managing,” I replied with a small smile. “Thanks for checking on me.”

Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang. Andrew glanced toward the entrance. “Are you expecting someone?”

“Not that I know of,” I replied, slightly frowning as I walked toward the door. “Maybe it’s the pizza I ordered. Although… that was surprisingly quick.”

Without another thought, I reached for the doorknob and pulled the door open.

The smile on my face disappeared instantly.

Standing right outside my apartment… Were Ryder Blackwood and Silas Blackwood.

My heart dropped straight into my stomach.