Chapter 2

Just as I raised my phone to call the police, the Dean's office door burst open with a bang.

A bald man with a menacing expression stormed in.

His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing a network of brutal tattoos.

Owen, his face full of grievances, stumbled toward him. "Dad, Dad!"

The bald man instantly pulled his son into a fierce embrace, his gaze sweeping over the bandage on Owen's forehead. His pupils constricted, and his fury ignited.

He looked up abruptly, his roar shaking the room.

"Who's Dennis's parent? Get out here!"

The office fell silent.

Everyone’s eyes instinctively darted to me.

The bald man followed their gazes, locking onto me, and immediately charged.

Before I could even speak, a searing pain exploded across my cheek.

Smack!

The bald man’s fist slammed into me.

The force was immense; I stumbled back several steps and fell to the floor, a fiery pain spreading through my nerves.

"You're that monster's parent, aren't you? Look at the kind of child you've raised!"

Still seething, the bald man struggled to lunge at me again, but two teachers held him back.

Brenda offered some feigned concern. "Mr. Black, please try to calm down. Let's not resort to violence in front of the children!"

She glanced at me, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

The arrogant bowl-cut boy, Caleb, now trembled uncontrollably, clinging to my clothes and hiding behind me.

I stood up straight, wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, and explained,

"Mr. Black, you've got the wrong person. I am absolutely not this child's parent!

"My son's name is Dennis Miller, but he's been in Canada since he was three and has never attended this school!"

I pointed at Caleb, my voice hardening.

"I came here today to figure out why you have my phone number and why my son's information is in your archives!"

The bald man paused, the furious expression on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by a flicker of doubt that creased his brow.

He pushed away the teachers holding him, grabbed Caleb by the collar, and roared, "Tell me, is she really your mom or not?"

Caleb's face went ashen, but he still jutted out his chin, not a hint of guilt in his eyes. "She is my mom! I'm not lying!"

"She's a director at Radiant Group and has lots of money! She can pay Owen's compensation!"

Brenda, far from trying to de-escalate, added, "That's right, Dennis's records indeed list Ms. Miller as his guardian."

"All the information was entered through proper procedures; there couldn't be a mistake!"

The bald man's fury reignited. He released Caleb and advanced toward me.

I backed away repeatedly until my back hit the corner of a desk.

He stared into my eyes, grinding his teeth. "If you say he's not your son, then how would he know all your information?"

"Are you the director of Radiant Group?"

I straightened my back, meeting his gaze, and said each word distinctly.

"I am Sarah Miller, and I do work at Radiant Group, but I am absolutely not this child's mother. Someone has impersonated me and my son!"

The moment I finished speaking, Caleb's face crumpled, tears and snot streaming down. "Mommy, why won't you acknowledge me? I'm Dennis!"

"I'm sorry, I won't be naughty and bully classmates again! Mommy, please don't abandon me."

Crying, he pulled a photo from his pocket and handed it to Brenda

. "This is a photo of me and Mom when I was little. Please, Teacher, tell Mom not to abandon me."