The house felt like a trap when we returned . It was as if every wall whispered Celine's name . I carried Liam inside , his body limp from exhaustion , his small fingers clinging to my blouse . I gently placed him on the couch , turning on his favorite cartoon to distract him . All the while , Zach was pacing in the living room , phone in his hand , though he wasn't really using it . He looked up , his eyes bloodshot , his hair a disheveled mess . " Did you tell her to leave , or are you still negotiating with the devil ? " " She's upstairs , " he said , voice hollow . " Said she's packing . " " She said ? " I echoed , narrowing my eyes . His jaw tightened . " I told her . Don't worry she won't be stalling for long . " I rolled my eyes before kissing Liam's forehead . " Stay here , baby . Mommy will be back in a minute . " Liam nodded sullenly . I walked past Zach and headed toward the stairs . My pulse raced and my breath hitched with every step . Zach called me simultaneously but I was so livid to even care and pay attention to him . Finally , I walked into the bedroom , only to find Celine perched at the edge of the vanity mirror , meticulously applying lipstick . Her suitcase sat half - zipped beside her , as if she had all the time in the world . Her reflection met mine in the mirror , a smirk dancing on her lips . Celine's voice sliced through the air before I even said a thing . " Such a pitiful act , Arianne . Dragging lawyers into our family matters ? What , are you that desperate for Zach's attention ? " " Pack faster , " I said icily . " I don't want to breathe the same air with you , Celine ." She sighed theatrically and then laughed annoyingly . " You're no fun anymore . I remember when you used to cry when Zach ignored you . Now look at you - trying to play a strong and brave primadonna . " " I'm not playing , bitch . " I stepped closer , holding up my phone . " You see this ? It's the lobby footage from the hospital . Your grand cupcake delivery caught high definition ." Her smile faltered as her eyes lowered to the screen of my phone . " I'm pressing charges . Attempted murder . You crossed a line you can't slither back from , Celine ." " You wouldn't dare ," she hissed , pointing at me . " I already did . " The doorframe creaked . Zach stood there now , arms crossed , eyes weary but resolute . " It's over , Celine . Stop all this bullshit . " His voice roared in every corner of the room . Her head snapped toward him . " You spineless bastard . You promised me- " " I promised to protect my family , " Zach said , his tone firm. " That stopped being you the moment you tried to kill my son . " Her hands balled into fists . " You think this is the end ? I've buried girls like her before , Zach . I can destroy her life with a single headline . " " Try me , " I challenged , my voice low but steady . " But you'll be fighting this from behind a restraining order . " Celine stood up , grabbing her suitcase . " This isn't over , Arianne . I made you . Without me , you're just a frumpy , boring housewife Zach settled for ." " And yet , I'm still the one standing here . " I stepped aside , holding the door open . She stormed past me , her heels hammering against the staircase . But when she reached the living room and saw Liam curled on the couch , something triggered her . She slowed , her bravado flickering . " Liam- " she started , voice almost soft . But Liam didn't flinch . He turned his head to the side , his tiny voice cutting through the silence . " You're not my family . You made me sick . " Celine froze . For a fleeting moment , her mask crumbled . But she recovered quickly , flipping her hair back as she yanked the front door open . " Enjoy your perfect little drama , " she spat , glaring at me . " It'll burn soon enough . " The door slammed . The house finally exhaled once she's out . Zach slumped onto the armrest , his hands buried in his hair . " You really ended it ." " No , " I said , sitting beside Liam , who crawled into my lap . " I just gave her a headstart before the police crashed her . " Liam looked up at me , his thumb brushing over my fingers . " Are we safe now , Mommy ? " I kissed his forehead . " We will be . I promise . " But as the afternoon settled , my phone buzzed . An unknown number flashed across the screen . I answered the call without a ceremony " You should've killed me when you had the chance , " Celine's venomous voice slithered into my ear . " You think a restraining order will stop me ? I'm going to make you a national disgrace , Arianne . Watch how fast the world turns on you . " My blood bubbled to the top of my head . And for the first time , I wanted to kill someone . " She's not coming back to this house ," I murmured , standing up . Zach tensed . " What did she say ? " " She's going public . Lies . Scandals . She's going to spin this into a circus , Zach . " His fists clenched . " We'll sue her for defamation , expose her for what she's done . " " No. " I turned to him , determination coiling in my chest . " We won't wait for her to strike . We'll hit first . We'll expose everything . " Zach's eyes met mine , something shifting in his expression . " You're serious . " " Deadly . I wasn't going to play defense this time . " The war wasn't over . Celine was a serpent , shedding her skin and striking from the shadows . I'm going to burn her whole kingdom down . " I understand . " His phone was already in his hand , dialing . His face was the calmest I'd seen all day , but his eyes - they were flames . But just as the call connected , the doorbell rang . Zach's brows furrowed . " Who the hell- ? " " I'll get it . " I stood , cautious , but curious . Through the peephole , I saw a man in a crisp gray suit . His smile was polite , but cold . He held a black folder under his arm . I opened the door halfway , keeping the chain latch in place . " Can I help you ? " " Arianne Green ? " His tone was formal , detached . " Who's asking? " I said , forehead scrunching . He slid a business card through the gap . " My name is David Ross . I represent the Office of Child Protective Services . We've received a report of endangerment regarding your son , Liam . " My stomach plummeted . " I'm sorry - what ? " " A tip - off came in this afternoon . Anonymous source . " His expression didn't shift , but his eyes flickered with pity . " I'm here to conduct a welfare check . May I come in ? " Behind me , Zach's voice was sharp . " Arianne? What's going on ? " I turned my head slowly , bile rising in my throat . " Celine . " It was her opening move . A dirty , vicious blow . " I'm going to need to see Liam , " David said , his tone softening . " Just to ensure he's safe . " " Of course he's safe ! " Zach snapped , coming up behind me . " This is a joke. This is a- " " Zach ," I whispered . " We can't look defensive . Let him in . " 19:44 Tue , Sep 30 ศร David stepped inside , his eyes scanning the room meticulously . Liam was still on the couch , cradling his plush dinosaur , oblivious to the storm brewing around him . David crouched to Liam's level . " Hey there , buddy. I'm David . Mind if I ask you a few questions ? " Liam blinked , confused , but nodded . " Are you feeling okay ? Do you feel safe here with Mommy and Daddy ? " Liam's small face scrunched up . " Mommy makes me soup when I'm sick . Daddy watches dinosaurs with me . But a bad woman gave me a bad cupcake . " David's eyes shifted to me , his brow lifting slightly . " Bad cupcake ? " I pulled out my phone and showed him the hospital footage . " This is the woman who poisoned him . Her name is Celine Lovelet . She's Zach's ex - fiancée . She's the one who called this in , isn't she ? " David's lips pressed into a thin line . " We can't disclose informants . But this ... this changes things . " He stood , straightening his jacket . " I'll write a preliminary report . For now , no action will be taken . But - this isn't over . Once a report is filed , a caseworker will follow up . " I nodded stiffly . " Thank you for being fair . " As David left , closing the door gently behind him , Zach let out a string of curses . " She's pulling every legal string to paint you as an unfit mother . " " She wants to bury me in public shame before her court hearing even begins . " My fists clenched . " But I'm done playing her game . " I sat down , pulling up my contact list . " I'm calling Tiffany " Zach's brow arched . " Your college friend ? The journalist ? " " She's not just a journalist anymore . " A smile curved my lips as the phone rang . " She's Celine's worst nightmare now . " Tiffany answered on the third ring , her voice sharp and amused . " Arianne . To what do I owe the honor ? Did hell freeze over ? " " I've got a story that'll burn hotter than hell itself . " Tiffany's tone shifted . " Celine ? " " Exclusive footage . Poisoning attempt . Fraud . And a custody battle you'll want front - row seats to ." " You had me at poisoning . I'll be at your house in twenty . " As I hung up , Zach's phone buzzed . His face paled . " What now ? " I asked , but my gut was already twisting . He motioned for me to look at the TV screen . It was a news headline . BREAKING NEWS : Orion CEO , Zachary Hatton's son hospitalized after Domestic Neglect - Anonymous Source Claims Mother's Negligence Led to Child's Poisoning . Underneath was a photo of me carrying Liam out of the hospital - my face twisted in distress , making me look every bit the guilty mother Celine wanted me to be . a CELINE'S POV Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!