Author’s POV

Across town, Vivian was causing quite the commotion at kindergarten. Her tiny face set with determination as she confronted her teacher.

"Vivian, Rancy’s family is taking care of her. She’ll be fine," the teacher assured with forced patience.

"Just stay here at kindergarten and wait for Rancy to come back, okay?"

Vivian’s expression darkened, her little chin jutting forward stubbornly. "If you won’t tell me where she is, I’ll go find her myself!" she declared, spinning on her heel and marching toward the door.

The teacher, panicking, called security to stop her. The guards approached tentatively, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of restraining Ryan Blackwood’s daughter. Their hesitation gave the clever child just enough opening to dodge between them, making a dash for the exit.

But Vivian, brilliant as she was, was still just a four-year-old. The teachers caught up with her before she could escape the grounds, grabbing her arms as she twisted and squirmed.

"Let me go! Let me GO!" she screamed, struggling against their hold.

It was this chaotic scene that greeted Cedric Lancaster when he arrived. His eyes immediately fixed on Vivian—that miniature version of Ryan with the same stubborn set to her jaw, the same commanding presence despite her tiny stature.

"Mr. Lancaster, you’re here!" The teacher rushed toward him, relief evident in her voice. "How is little Rancy doing?"

Cedric ignored the question, nodding toward the struggling child. "What’s happening with her?"

The teacher’s smile faltered. "She’s... well..."

"Trying to find her Rancy, I assume?" Cedric’s lips curved into what appeared to be an understanding smile, though there was something cold lurking beneath. "The friendship between these children is quite touching, isn’t it?"

The teacher nodded eagerly, missing his subtle contempt. "Yes, Vivian and Rancy are inseparable. She’s been desperate to visit Rancy in the hospital."

"Release her," Cedric instructed. "Let me speak with her."

"Mr. Lancaster, I’m not sure that’s appropriate. Reasoning with children this young—"

The icy glare Cedric shot her way silenced any further ions.

"Well... if you think you can help calm her down..."

The moment Vivian was free, she bolted for the door again, only to be caught by Cedric’s swift hand.

"Let me go!" she demanded, glaring up at him with a fierceness that belied her small frame.

Cedric crouched down to her level, his face arranged in a mask of kindness. "Hello Vivian, I’m Rancy’s father. Nice to meet you."

Vivian paused, studying him skeptically. "You don’t look like Rancy’s daddy."

Her direct observation hit a nerve, and Cedric’s smile tightened.

"I came to tell you that Rancy is transferring to a new school," he said bluntly. "She’s very sick and doesn’t need friends right now. You shouldn’t try to find her anymore. Do you understand?"

Vivian’s face froze in shock, then crumpled in disbelief. "You’re lying! Rancy says I’m her best friend! She wouldn’t leave without telling me!"

"She promised to make me a birthday cake!" Vivian’s voice rose, trembling with emotion. "Rancy never breaks promises!"

"Believe what you want," Cedric shrugged, rising to his full height and turning to the teacher. "I can’t seem to reason with her. Perhaps you should take her back to class."

His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "If Vivian manages to escape and something happens to her, I doubt Mr. Blackwood would be very forgiving."

The teacher paled, signaling the guards to take Vivian back to her classroom.

"Let me see Rancy!" Vivian shouted as they carried her away. "I don’t believe she’d leave me!"

Cedric ignored her pleas, turning businesslike to the teacher. "Rancy won’t be returning. Her health requires special attention. I need you to process her withdrawal immediately."

"Mr. Lancaster," the teacher began hesitantly, "we can provide extra care for Rancy if—"

"Process the withdrawal now," Cedric interrupted coldly. "I have a meeting to attend shortly."

The teacher swallowed whatever else she might have said and simply nodded.

From her classroom window, Vivian watched Cedric leave with Rancy’s withdrawal papers. Her small hands curled into fists as she made her decision and pulled out the emergency phone her father had given her.

Ryan was in the middle of a meeting when his phone lit up with Vivian’s name—something that almost never happened. His heart leapt into his throat as he quickly excused himself.

"Vivian? Where are you? Are you alright?" The words tumbled out in a rush of concern.

A small sob came through the line, making his blood run cold.

"What’s wrong?" he demanded.

"Dad," Vivian’s voice was thick with tears. "Rancy transferred schools. I’ll never see her again."

Ryan blinked, tension draining from his shoulders. "She transferred? That’s what this is about?"

"Dad, I miss Rancy," Vivian continued miserably. "She might not come to my birthday now. I need to see her."

Ryan sighed, torn between relief that nothing serious had happened and sympathy for his daughter’s genuine distress. The friendship clearly meant more to Vivian than he’d realized.

"Vivian, don’t cry," he said, softening his tone. "I’ll come get you right now, and we’ll figure out how to find your friend, okay?"

Vivian sniffled. "Okay, Dad. I’ll wait for you."

After hanging up, Ryan immediately tried calling Serena Lancaster. The call connected but no one answered. Frowning, he ended the call and tried again.

Meanwhile, Serena stared at her flashing phone, Ryan’s name lighting up the screen. Her heart raced. Should she answer? Was ignoring him the safer option?

"Mommy, your phone is ringing," Rancy’s small voice made her jump.

"Rancy! You’re awake?" Serena turned to see her daughter’s eyes open, watching her curiously.

She nodded. "I feel better now. Has Vivian called me?"

She glanced down at her wrist where Serena had placed the replacement watch.

"No, sweetheart," Serena said gently. "Just focus on getting better, okay?"

"That’s weird," Rancy frowned. "Vivian always calls when I’m not at school. Maybe she’s already coming to visit me!"

Her eyes lit up at the thought, making Serena’s heart sink. Before she could respond, her phone rang again—Ryan, persistent as ever.

"Rancy, Mommy needs to take this call. I’ll be right outside, okay?"

She stepped into the hallway, taking a deep breath before answering, but remained silent.

"Mrs. Lancaster?" Ryan’s cool, professional voice came through the line. "This is Ryan, Vivian’s father."

Serena paused, confused by his formal introduction. Did he truly not recognize her? Or was this part of some game?

"Mrs. Lancaster," he continued, "I apologize for the intrusion, but my daughter and yours are friends. I understand Rancy is transferring schools, and Vivian is quite upset. She’d like to see Rancy one last time, to say goodbye."

So it was about Vivian.

"Mr. Blackwood," she responded carefully, "Rancy is actually ill and needs treatment for some time—it’s more of a medical leave than a transfer. While I understand they’re friends, involving other children in illness isn’t ideal, don’t you agree?"

"Are you saying Rancy has a serious condition?" His tone shifted slightly. "Do you need any assistance?"

Serena rolled her eyes, silently cursing his presumption. Her Rancy wasn’t seriously ill! But she kept her composure, sensing no immediate threat.

"That won’t be necessary, Mr. Blackwood. Rancy may need to return to Thailand for treatment. If they meet now, separating them will be even harder. I don’t want Rancy distracted from her recovery by this friendship, and as Vivian’s father, I hope you’ll help her understand. I’d prefer they not see each other again—all this crying and drama isn’t good for anyone."

Her explanation sounded reasonable enough, and Ryan sighed almost imperceptibly before agreeing.

"I understand, Mrs. Lancaster."

"Good, thank you," Serena replied, eager to end the call.

"Wait!" Ryan’s sharp command froze her in place.

She didn’t hang up, but she didn’t speak either. The silence stretched between them, filled only with the sound of their breathing. Had he recognized something? Her pulse hammered in her ears.

"Mr. Blackwood?" she finally managed. "Is there something else?"

The silence continued for another beat before she heard another voice in the background—his assistant announcing they’d arrived at the kindergarten.

Serena exhaled slowly as the call ended, leaning against the hospital wall for support.