Chapter 5 : Don't Take Away What's Mine ! " Are you ready for today? " " Yes , Mom ! " Liam answered , chuckling sweetly . It was another check - up day for my son and as usual my heart bleeds every single time we're in the clinic . Dr. Beltran wanted to monitor his breathing patterns again after last month's mild asthma flare - up . I had called the school ahead - his absence was excused . The pediatric ward was unusually quiet when we arrived . A soft hush blanketed the hallways , interrupted only by the muted squeak of nurses ' shoes and the distant beep of machines . The fluorescent lights overhead cast sterile halos along the tiled floor , and the smell of antiseptic clung to the air . " Liam Josef Hatton ," the nurse called , smiling warmly . " Dr. Beltran will see you now . " " Will you be okay without me inside ? " I asked , smoothing the collar of his jacket . " Yeah . See you in a bit , Mom . " He nodded confidently and kissed my cheek before heading into the consultation room . The moment the door shut , a quiet ache pulsed in my chest . I knew it was routine- nothing to panic over . But lately , my fears have grown less about medicine and more about lawyers . Zach's petition for full custody had arrived like a bombshell wrapped in civility . Every word in that document chipped away at the life I had fought to keep whole . The thought of losing Liam ... of handing him over to someone who had ripped our family apart ? It made my blood run cold . I turned to pace the hallway , trying to settle my nerves - when I saw her . Celine . She was striding toward me like she owned the damn place . That same flawless face , hair swept back into a sleek low bun , makeup pristine . A designer coat hugged her frame , and in her arms , an expensive purse I bet Zach bought for her . She smiled like this was brunch , not a confrontation . " Hello , former Mrs. Hatton , " she jeered , giving me a once - over glance . I stopped mid - step . " What are you doing here ? " Her heels clicked softly as she slowed . " I heard Liam had a check - up . " I narrowed my eyes . " Are you stalking us now ? " She rolled her eyes with a slight chuckle . " Don't be dramatic , Arianne . I just came to talk . Woman to woman . " I should have walked away . Should have told her to stay out of my sight . But I didn't . Maybe because the fire inside me wanted a closer look at the woman Zach had risked it all for . I walked past her . " Fine . Five minutes . That's all you get . " We ended up at the hospital coffee shop , tucked in a quiet corner booth . Celine sat across from me , perfectly poised . " You look tired ," she said , stirring her tea . " I am tired , " I replied , not bothering with fake smiles . " Because I'm raising my son while cleaning up after your affair . " Her expression didn't falter . " You should stop looking at me like I'm the villain . Zach made a choice . I didn't force him . " A bitter laugh escaped me . " You seduced a married man and now you're surprised he left? " She smiled again , slower this time . " He didn't just leave , Arianne . He left for me . He told me things he couldn't say to you . That he was suffocating . That he wanted someone who truly saw him . " I clenched my jaw , blinking away the sting behind my eyes . " Don't sit here and pretend your relationship was built on anything but betrayal . " " Call it what you want . " She shrugged , then slid the folder onto the table and flipped it open . " But it doesn't change the facts . Zach filed for primary custody . He wants Liam to live with us ." Us . That word sliced deeper than it should have . " He is my son , " I said , my voice barely above a whisper . " You don't get to take him and play house . " She didn't blink . " He's our son now . At least , he will be . " I frowned . " What the hell does that mean ? " Celine pulled something from her folder . A small photograph . She placed it in front of me . I bit my inner cheek , holding back my tears . " I'm twelve weeks ," she said , her tone light , almost smug . " A little surprise . Zach is over the moon ." My breath hitched . I didn't want to look , but I did . A blurry little bean floating in a sea of static glossy paper . My hands trembled slightly as I pushed it back toward her . " You're delusional if you think this baby gives you a claim over Liam ." She leaned forward , resting her elbows on the table . " It's not about claiming him . It's about building a family . Zach wants us to raise them together . Liam deserves stability . And frankly - he deserves better than watching his mother spiral every time I'm in the room . " I stood abruptly , the chair scraping the floor . " You think I'm spiraling ? I am fighting for my son . For everything you destroyed! " Celine stood too , unbothered . " Just don't be surprised when the court agrees with us . A happy home , two siblings, and two unified parents . That's what judges like to see . " She gathered her coat and folder , then offered one last , venom - laced smile . " You can keep hating me , Arianne . But soon ... Liam won't be calling you for goodnight kisses . He'll be calling me Mommy , too ." I stood up , slowly and deliberately . Celine remained seated , her smile fixed like stone . " Congratulations , " I said , my voice calm but cold . " I hope you enjoy what you stole ." She blinked , surprised by the restraint . " But remember this , " I added , leaning slightly toward her . " A love built in a lie cannot survive . Trust me , he'll eventually dismantle you . And no , you cannot take my son away from me ! " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!