The dim lighting of the private booth cast shadows across the polished mahogany table as Nathan gestured wildly, his drink sloshing in his glass. Across from him, Dominic and Victoria listened with varying degrees of amusement.

"Seriously, can you believe it?" Nathan scoffed, shaking his head. "She cancels on making Alexander's favorite dinner just to go out with some random guy? Victoria, mark my words—Alexander won’t let this slide. That woman’s got another thing coming!"

Victoria opened her mouth to respond when the door swung open. Alexander stepped inside, his expression as unreadable as ever. He had mastered the art of keeping his emotions locked away, but Victoria had known him long enough to sense the storm brewing beneath that calm exterior.

"Alexander," she said softly, tilting her head in concern. "Is Ms. Sinclair doing alright? She must have gone back to take care of little Liam by now, right?"

Alexander’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "No. She hasn’t."

Victoria’s eyes widened in disbelief. "She’s ignoring Liam too?"

She hesitated for a moment before squaring her shoulders. "Alexander, maybe I should go talk to her. Liam is just a child—he shouldn’t be caught in the middle of this. No matter how upset adults are, we shouldn’t let it affect him."

Nathan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, please," he drawled, swirling his drink. "We all know what she’s doing. Using Liam as leverage to manipulate Alexander. That woman’s ruthless—willing to exploit her own child. It’s disgusting."

Dominic shot him a warning look. "Nathan, enough."

"Am I wrong?" Nathan shot back, undeterred. "Look at Amy’s behavior! Married, with a kid, and she’s out at bars meeting strangers? That’s infidelity, plain and simple."

"No wonder Liam’s been pulling away from her. What kind of mother does that? Alexander’s been too lenient with her—spoiling her rotten!"

"Living in luxury, spending Alexander’s money without a care, and still not satisfied! Now she’s probably using his money to wine and dine some other guy!"

Nathan leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "Alexander, you should cut her off. Freeze her card. Let’s see how long she keeps up this attitude. Bet she’ll come crawling back before the night’s over."

Meanwhile, Amy’s mood had soured completely after her encounter with Alexander and Victoria. She was about to head back when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Pulling it out, she saw the notification—her credit card had been frozen.

It took her only a second to realize what had happened. Alexander had cut her off.

Years of being a stay-at-home mother had left her without her own income. She had been using Alexander’s card for everything. Sure, she had savings from before their marriage—a comfortable sum by normal standards. But in the world of the Blackwoods, it was a drop in the ocean.

She had never seen an issue with spending Alexander’s money. After all, he was the provider, and she managed the household. It was only fair.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she stared at the screen. So, Alexander was playing hardball.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the small figure that suddenly collided with her leg.

Startled, she looked down to find a little boy, no older than five or six, staring up at her with wide, star-like eyes. His delicate features were striking, but his complexion was alarmingly pale.

With her background in holistic medicine, Amy recognized the signs immediately—this child was frail, likely prone to illness.

The boy blinked up at her. "You bumped into me," he said matter-of-factly. "You owe me."

Amy crouched down to his level, her voice softening. "Hey there, sweetheart. Are you feeling okay?"

The boy looked away, silent. Amy glanced around but saw no sign of his parents.

"What’s your name?" she asked gently. "Where are your mom and dad?"