Alice’s digital alarm clock buzzed sharply at exactly six a.m., though it didn’t need to. Sleep had been fleeting at best, with most of the night spent tossing and turning as her mind replayed the Vulpes’ visit and the harrowing revelation that her technology had been compromised. The rare moments when sleep did come were plagued by vivid nightmares—visions of Project Wonderland turned into a weapon that stripped people of their free will.
She sat up slowly, her body heavy with the weight of exhaustion. Her room, usually a comforting sanctuary, felt oddly foreign in the hazy light of dawn. Pulling herself out of bed, Alice trudged toward the bathroom, each step a deliberate effort.
Her reflection in the mirror confirmed what she already felt. Dark circles hung beneath her eyes, and her complexion looked sallow under the harsh glow of the vanity lights. “Perfect,” she muttered, leaning closer to inspect the damage. Concealer could hide the worst of it, but no amount of makeup could cover the anxiety gnawing at her insides.
With a sigh, she opened the medicine cabinet and retrieved a small orange bottle. Shaking it gently, she tipped a pill into her palm. After a moment’s hesitation, she tipped out a second and swallowed them both with a mouthful of water. The action was mechanical, but the extra dose felt necessary. Today wasn’t a normal day—she needed every edge she could get to make it through.
As she moved to return the bottle to its place, she paused. A quiet sense of unease prickled at the back of her mind, and she found herself slipping the bottle into her purse instead. Normally, she left it at home, but today she couldn’t bring herself to trust leaving it behind. Not when the world felt so unsteady.
Alice took a deep breath, bracing herself for the day ahead. Normally, spending time with Martha and Coraline would have been a bright spot in her week, a chance to unwind and enjoy the company of her closest friends. But the weight of what she’d learned—and what she couldn’t tell them—cast a shadow over the thought. For their sake, she would put on a brave face. They didn’t deserve to be dragged into this, and Alice didn’t know if she could stand their imagined disappointment if they knew the truth.
She moved through her morning routine with the same sluggish determination, focusing on each small task as a way to keep her thoughts at bay. When she finally emerged from her apartment, her makeup immaculate and her outfit carefully chosen to project confidence she didn’t feel, Alice clung to one mantra: Get through today.
As she stepped out into the crisp morning air, Alice resolved to hold herself together, if only for a little while longer. There would be time to unravel everything later—time to figure out who had betrayed her, how her invention had been stolen, and what she could do to fix it. But for now, she would play the role of Alice Little: the brilliant, bubbly inventor with a perfectly curated life.
For now, the cracks that had formed in her life could wait.
***
Susan's Breakfast and Brunch was the kind of place that felt like home the moment you walked in. The warm, inviting decor, the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon, the friendly servers who greeted regulars by name—it all screamed "mom and pop," a haven of comfort food and nostalgia. But for those in the know, the quaint charm was a carefully crafted façade.
Owned by the Van Horn family, Susan's was part of a chain meticulously designed to evoke that cozy, family-run feel. Every element, from the mismatched furniture to the hand-painted signs, was curated to tug at the heartstrings of diners who craved authenticity with their breakfast. Martha had always been amused by the duality of it—how something so calculated could feel so genuinely welcoming. Coraline had never been fond of the calculated deception but had to admit the breakfast crepe combo was quite good.
Martha and Coraline had arrived early, securing a booth near the window where the sunlight streamed in just right, casting a golden glow over the table. Coraline sipped her coffee while Martha stirred cream into hers, the two exchanging light conversation as they waited for Alice.
“Do you think she’ll be on time?” Coraline asked, her tone teasing.
“She’ll be here,” Martha replied confidently. “She might be the busiest and only super genius I know, but Alice wouldn’t miss breakfast with us. Besides, she owes me after dodging the charity gala.”
Coraline nodded and took a sip of her coffee “To be honest I was a bit surprised she didn’t come, you know how much she loves an excuse to dress up”
Martha rolled her eyes, a knowing smile playing at her lips. “You and I both know the only reason she didn’t show was because Micheal can’t stand being in the same room as Jason Wright. Notwithstanding that I don’t think he is very fond of us either.”
Coraline smirked, setting her coffee cup down. “Yeah, Michael does seem like the type to clutch his pearls over the bad influences in Alice’s life. You know, all of us who actually care about her.”
Martha chuckled softly, swirling the cream in her cup. “Bad influences like me, the scary old-money heiress, or you, the eager young lawyer?”
“Exactly,” Coraline replied with mock seriousness. “Though I’m pretty sure it’s Dorothy he worries about the most. The grease-monkey-slash-firecracker is practically his worst nightmare.”
Martha tilted her head in agreement. “I rather like Dorothy, she is unpredictable and the lack of filter between her brain and mouth is refreshingly honest, wish she could have joined us today.”
Coraline chuckled. “Dorothy is definitely one of a kind. She’s like a shot of espresso—brash, bold, and exactly what you need when things get too serious. Though I’m not sure Micheal appreciates her... colorful commentary.”
Martha laughed softly, shaking her head. “Probably not. But honestly, I think that’s why Alice needs her around. Dorothy is good at pulling her out of her shell, even if it’s with a bit of chaos.”
“True,” Coraline agreed, her tone light. “But chaos isn’t something Michael seems to handle well. I’d love to see him try and deal with Dorothy for more than five minutes. He’d probably implode.”
“That would be a sight,” Martha said with a grin. “But let’s not put poor Alice in the middle of that mess. She has enough on her plate without playing referee.”
Coraline sighed, her expression softening. “She does. Sometimes I worry she’s trying too hard to make everyone happy—Michael, her work, even us. It’s like she forgets she’s allowed to take up space just for herself.”
Martha nodded, her gaze thoughtful as she sipped her coffee.
The bell above the door jingled, drawing their attention as Alice walked in, looking polished but with the faintest trace of weariness in her eyes. She waved at them with a small smile, her purse hanging from her shoulder as she approached their table.
“Right on time,” Coraline said, grinning.
“Just in time for crepes and coffee” Martha added with a wink.
Alice laughed softly as she reached them. “I didn’t sleep so well last night, I think coffee might be perfect right about now”
“Of course,” Coraline teased though she knew the real reason Alice was probably feeling fatigued. She had debated not telling her but it wouldn't have been fair to keep her in the dark about the thefts and she very much needed her help so her alter ego could get to the bottom of it.
Alice shook her head, the tension in her shoulders easing as she slid into the seat. “Well, I think will have the usual with coffee strong enough to peel paint”
“Fair enough,” Martha said, her tone playful. “The old college hangover remedy breakfast combo”
Alice smirked faintly, the corner of her lips tugging upward as she adjusted her purse on the back of the chair. “Works every time.”
Coraline raised an eyebrow. “Michael keeping you up?”
“No, just my racing thoughts acting up” Alice admitted, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Me and Michael had a great date night... Well, he got called into work again.”
Martha leaned back in her chair, her expression turning more thoughtful. “On a Saturday night? Must have been urgent”
Alice shrugged, though her smile faltered slightly. “Of course it was, he would never just leave me unless it was”
“Still,” Coraline said, her tone gentle but firm, “it wouldn’t kill him to prioritize you once in a while. You’re not just part of his schedule, Alice. You’re his fiancée.”
Alice hesitated, unsure how to respond. The conversation was starting to veer into territory she wasn’t ready to navigate, but before she could deflect, the waitress approached their table with menus and a bright smile.
“Good morning, ladies. Coffee to start?”
“Yes, please,” Alice said quickly, her relief palpable. “As strong as you can make it.”
“Coming right up,” the waitress replied before turning to fetch the order.
Martha waited until the waitress was out of earshot before reaching across the table and giving Alice’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’re not trying to gang up on you, you know. We just worry because we care.”
Alice nodded, her smile softening. “I know. And I appreciate it. Really.”
Coraline nodded, swirling her coffee absently as a flicker of thought crossed her mind. She debated telling Alice, once again, how little she trusted Michael Macentyre. But what would be the point? She’d voiced her concerns before, back when Alice and Michael had first started dating, and nothing she said then had changed Alice’s feelings. Rehashing it now wouldn’t either.
Still, Coraline couldn’t entirely shake her unease. Michael had always been known in their social circles as a shiftless playboy, the kind of man who avoided commitment as if it were a disease. When he’d suddenly turned his attention to Alice and seemed genuinely smitten, both she and Martha had initially been relieved. It was good to see him settle down, to see him treat Alice with care and respect. But the abruptness of his transformation—from carefree bachelor to doting fiancé—nagged at Coraline. Something about it felt too... convenient.
Martha seemed to pick up on Coraline’s thoughtful silence, tilting her head slightly as if to ask what was on her mind. Coraline met her gaze, but before either of them could say anything, Alice broke the moment by reaching for her coffee.
“Alright,” Alice said with a small, determined smile. “No more Michael talk. Let’s focus on the important things—like brunch and how badly I need this coffee.”
Coraline smiled faintly, deciding to let it go for now. “Fair enough”
The three women turned their attention to the menu, the conversation drifting toward lighter topics. Yet, in the back of Coraline’s mind, the unease lingered. She hoped—truly hoped—that her doubts about Michael were just her own paranoia. But she couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling that something about him still didn’t sit right.
