I always thought the scariest thing in the world was losing Liam in a crowd . That split - second terror when your child slips out of view - your heart plunging, lungs freezing , mind racing . I never imagined something worse . It started like any other Thursday . I rushed out of the office after back - to - back meetings , apologizing profusely to Drella who waved me off with a knowing smirk . " You've got a kid . You get one free pass a week ," she teased . Still , guilt simmered in my chest . I hated being late , especially on the days Liam came home from school early . Neil was waiting downstairs again , ever the dependable friend . The moment I slid into the passenger seat , he handed me an iced latte . " Don't judge , " he said . " You looked like you needed caffeine and good karma . " I smiled , the kind of tired grin you give when someone sees through the cracks . " You're a lifesaver . " We didn't talk much during the drive - just soft music , shared glances , and the unspoken rhythm of two people learning to co - exist in the in - between . He dropped me off at the gate , and I promised to text later . I meant it . The house was too quiet when I entered . That should've been my first clue . I found Liam in the living room , curled up with a blanket and holding his tablet , a half - eaten cupcake on the coffee table . " Hey , baby ," I called gently . " How was school ? " His head lifted lazily . " Hi , Mom ." I crouched down beside him . His eyes were puffy , cheeks flushed . " You okay ? " " My tummy's weird ," he mumbled , burrowing deeper into the blanket . Panic fluttered into my gut . " What did you eat ? Did you drink something new ? " He pointed to the cupcake . " Aunt Celine made it for me . Said it was a surprise ." My breath hitched . I stood up immediately , storming toward the kitchen . Celine was there , leaning against the counter , sipping rosé from one of my crystal glasses like she belonged here . She didn't even flinch when I entered . " You fed him something ? " I asked , voice barely above a whisper . She turned , smiling lazily . " Relax . It was just a cupcake . A little indulgence ." " He has food allergies ," I snapped . " You know that . " Her brow arched in feigned innocence . " Do I ? " " Tree nuts . You've seen the chart on the fridge . He can't even have anything that's been processed near almonds or cashews . " Celine set the glass down carefully . " Maybe you should label things more clearly . It's not my fault if your kid has issues ." stepped forward , trembling . " If he goes into anaphylaxis , it will be your fault ." Before she could respond , Liam's cry echoed from the living room . " Mom ! I - I can't ... breathe ... " I bolted back . He was clutching his stomach , breathing fast , cheeks now turning pale . His lips looked swollen . Oh , god . No ! On instinct , I scooped him into my arms , grabbing his emergency kit from the hallway drawer with the precision of a mother who's practiced for this nightmare a hundred times . I jabbed the EpiPen into his thigh , whispering , " You're okay , baby . Stay with me ." Zach chose that exact moment to walk in . One glance and he dropped his keys . " What's happening ?! " he shouted , rushing over to us . " He had an allergic reaction . The cupcake . She gave him the cupcake ! " I screamed , glaring at Celine . Zach didn't even argue . He swept Liam into his arms , and we ran to the car . I sat in the backseat with our son , stroking his hair , whispering every prayer I could remember from childhood . The drive to the hospital was a blur of sirens , tears , and Zach running every red light . We waited in the emergency room for what felt like forever . The doctors moved fast . Liam was taken in for further monitoring even after the EpiPen worked - standard procedure . But it didn't calm my nerves . Watching him get wheeled away , too tired to even wave , broke me . Zach and I sat side by side in the waiting area that smelled antiseptic and anxiety . His hands were clenched into fists . " I swear to God , if she did this on purpose ... " he muttered , scrubbing his hands onto his face . " She did , " I said coldly . " Don't pretend otherwise . You saw her face . She didn't wince nor blink when she said it ." Zach looked over at me , guilt written all over him . " She swore she just wanted to make things easier . " " Liam almost died , Zach . And yet , you have the nerve to still defend that skank ?! " His lips parted . No excuse came . No apology . Just pure silence . Two hours later , we were allowed into Liam's room . He was awake but weak , the IV line snaking through his small arm . " Mom ," he whispered . " Don't be mad . I was at fault , too ." I bent over him , brushing the damp strands of hair from his forehead . " No , sweetie . You didn't do anything wrong . " He blinked . " She said it was special . Like I was her real son . " My stomach twisted violently . Zach stood in the doorway , silent . He didn't move until I turned . " Where is she ? " I asked , looking at Zachary . " At home , " he said drily . " I told her to stay the hell away . " I let out a sardonic laugh . " Home? She's probably clearing her tracks , deleting messages , framing this as a mistake . " His jaw ticked furiously . " You think she did it to hurt you ? " " I know she did it to hurt me - but it was Liam who paid for it . " Zach stepped closer , guilt dragging on his features like storm clouds . " I'm going to press charges . She's not getting near our son again . Ever . " I didn't answer . I just turned back to Liam , holding his hand tighter . By the time morning arrived , the hospital room was still , and quiet , filled only with the sound of beeping monitors and my child's soft breathing . Zach had gone home to handle things , whatever that meant . I was half - asleep in the corner chair when the nurse tapped lightly on the door . " Miss Arianne ? There's someone outside asking to see you . " I blinked . " Who ? " She hesitated . " Miss Lovelet ." I rose slowly , every cell in my body vibrating with fury . " Tell her to leave right away . " The nurse nodded , then paused . " Well , uh , she left something . A box . She said Liam would want it ." I stepped into the hallway . A white box sat at the reception desk , ribboned in blue . Inside it was another cupcake , untouched . A note beneath it , scrawled in expensive ink : Sometimes love comes in bitter doses . He won't be able to escape the next bite . I didn't sleep that night . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!