It became a daily routine for Siren to pick up Aiden from his mansion and drop him at school and again pick him up in the evening. She was afraid that he would be kidnapped again by the enemies of Raven.

She knew she should not be concerned about this matter but she couldn't stop herself from doing this. Yet, the mere notion of harm befalling him stirred a deep unease within her. Aiden had become an unexpected source of warmth in her life, one she was determined not to lose.

Twenty minutes had already passed. Aiden would have rushed out from the school campus by this time. Watching as other children were picked up by their parents or chauffeurs, she furrowed her brow and dismounted her bike.

Approaching the entrance, Siren presented her visitor pass to the security, a privilege granted by Raven following the kidnapping ordeal, which allowed her to visit and pick up Aiden anytime from the school. 

Of course, she glared at him for half an hour when she saw the term "mother to be" stated in the relation column in the visitor's pass. Seriously, how could such a prestigious school even allow this silly thing. But what would they do if the person is Raven Grey, who is the largest shareholder of the Imperial Academy.

Siren scanned the area for Aiden, but when she couldn't spot him, she headed towards the playground. There she saw Aiden sitting on the bench with his head lowered. She went near and called him.

"Aiden" 

Hearing no reply from him she squatted in front of him and raised his chin. Upon seeing the ugly blue bruises marring the corner of his mouth, her eyes narrowed. The injury appeared as though someone had delivered a forceful punch, resulting in swelling and a small tear of skin on his upper lip.

"What happened?" she inquired, her tone calm yet tinged with hidden anger.

Aiden, usually emotionally resilient due to his upbringing, had managed to endure the physical pain inflicted upon him earlier without shedding a tear. However, upon seeing Siren it was as if a floodgate had been opened within him. Tears welled in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks, moistening the tender wound on his lips.

He tried hard to hold up his tears but in vain, his sobs choking him and his nose reddening from crying. Unable to see him crying , Siren enveloped him in a comforting embrace, gently patting the little boy's back. 

"Shhh… it's ok. Don't cry" Siren comforted him for a long time until his cries turned into weak sobs.

Siren didn't press Aiden for further details, allowing him the space to collect himself emotionally. Taking him to a nearby clinic, she ensured his wounds were tended to. Thankfully, the injuries hadn't become infected, and the doctor prescribed medications to alleviate the swelling.

With Aiden quietly enjoying a jelly cake in the seat of her bike, Siren retrieved her phone and dialed a particular contact labeled "Mr. Grey." Though hesitant for a moment, she ultimately composed a message.

"I am taking Aiden to the shed and will drop him at the mansion tonight," she wrote, her thumb hovering over the send button momentarily before she tapped it.

A minute passed before her phone beeped with response. The reply she got was simple "Mm" .

Siren closed her phone and slipped it into her jeans pocket before leading Aiden to the shed. However, Aiden remained uncharacteristically quiet during the journey, a stark contrast to his usual lively self. Siren missed the cheery little boy.

Upon entering the shed with Aiden's backpack in hand, a tall figure suddenly darted past Siren, scooping Aiden up into the air.

"Little fireball" Alex felt joy when he saw the little boy as if his dark and dull days were painted with rainbow colors.

"Let him down, Dexy. He is hurt" Siren said to him as she placed the backpack on the bonnet of the nearby car.

Alex was taken aback by the revelation. Just moments ago, he had been excited at the sight of the child, failing to notice his injuries. Cradling Aiden in his arms, Alex carefully examined his face, noting a bruise on the side of his cheek smeared with a yellow substance.

"Which bastard hurt my little boy?" Alex seethed, his voice laced with fury. Aiden shook his little head sadly and nuzzled in his neck.

Seeing the usually cheerful child so subdued tugged at Alex's heartstrings. Aiden had always been a source of joy, affectionately referring to Alex as "grandpa," his laughter filling the shed as he played. But now, he resembled a wounded puppy, his silence a stark contrast to his usual self.

Siren took Aiden from his arms and said, "I will talk to him"

Alex didn't object, knowing that Aiden had a strong bond with Siren. However, his anger still smoldered as he thought about the bruise on the boy's fair skin. With a nod, he departed, leaving Siren and Aiden alone.

Once they were alone, Siren turned her attention to Aiden, who sat with his head bowed, his fingers nervously toying with each other. She approached him and gently caressed his soft, dark hair.

"Will you tell me what happened?" she asked softly.

Aiden remained silent for a moment, his tear-filled eyes meeting hers as he slowly raised his head.