Lily explained how their mother met Ryan. At first, he was kind—ordering pizza, playing video games, acting like he cared. Then the comments started. Evan added softly that Ryan said they were “too much work,” that their mom deserved freedom, not responsibility.
Alexander listened, jaw tight, eyes darkening.
Evan finally whispered the truth.
“She picked him.”
That was when Alexander stood up. His decision was made.
He asked for their address and said he was taking them home.
Thirty minutes later, they stood at the door of a modest house. Alexander rang the doorbell firmly.
Their mother, Melissa Carter, went pale when she saw her children.
Ryan appeared behind her, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. Melissa stammered that she had told Ryan to drop them somewhere safe—maybe a shelter.
“A shelter?” Alexander repeated, his voice icy.
Ryan sneered, asking who Alexander thought he was, claiming this was a private family issue.
Alexander introduced himself calmly and stated the facts: he had found two abandoned children alone in a park at night—cold, frightened, and heartbroken.