It seemed I had underestimated Stella, and she wasn't as innocent as I thought. Those from ATL Empire were never what they seemed. I once again realized the inexplicable force that had sucked me in.

I pinched my thigh to wake myself up.

My mom had picked up Ava from kindergarten, who ran over to me. "You're so early today, Mommy! Uncle Ryan bought me a new doll."

"Uncle Ryan?" I was puzzled.

Ryan came out of the kitchen wearing an apron. "I was at the bank earlier and bumped into your mom. So, I accompanied her to the kindergarten."

My mom joined him from the kitchen and said, "He also took us to Parkside Plaza, and we went shopping at the supermarket."

I could tell she liked Ryan from how happy she looked.

"I saw you leaving the office early. Why are you only back now?" Ryan asked.

"Well, I was almost at the kindergarten, but Stella wanted to meet me," I said, tired.

Ava showed me a new Barbie doll from the latest release. I had a soft spot for Barbies, too. When I was a