Stella's POV

I was in the bedroom, helping Orion put his shoe on. He was a little clumsy, wobbling as he tried to keep his balance while carefully pulling on the sneaker so he wouldn't mess up his sock.

Then I heard the knock at the door and immediately assumed it was Alexander. He'd said he would stop by to take the boys to school, since he hadn't been able to see them yesterday.

"I'm coming!" I called, jumping up quickly.

I opened the door with a smile, expecting to see Alexander. Instead, the man standing there left me frozen.

My heart slammed against my ribs. A cold shock ran down my spine as he stared back at me.

I felt my fingers tremble where they gripped the doorknob.

"You look scared," he said quietly, almost teasing. "Weren't you expecting to see me here, Miss Harper?"

Before I could say anything else, Apollo's small voice rang out from inside the house.

"Mom! I'm ready!"

My entire body locked up in panic. 'What do I do? Slam the door in his face and wait