Chapter 67

she stood in her doorway, Margaret on one side and Max approaching from the other. Charlie's cries from inside the apartment grew louder, adding to the tension.

"Alice?" Max called again, concern clear in his voice. "What's going on?"

Before Alice could respond, Margaret stepped forward, a cold smile on her face. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just here to have a little chat with Alice about her son. Our son, I should say."

Max reached them, his eyes darting between Alice and Margaret. "Who are you?" he asked Margaret, moving protectively closer to Alice.

"I'm Margaret," she said sweetly. "Carson's fiancée. Or I was, until Alice here stole him away."

Alice felt her temper flare. "I didn't steal anyone, Margaret. You need to leave, now."

Just then, Alice's phone buzzed. It was Carson. "Don't answer that," Margaret said sharply. "We wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, would we?"

Max looked confused and worried. "Alice, what's she talking about? What's going on?"

Alice felt torn. She needed to