Amy's voice was icy. "What kind of child he is depends entirely on his actions."

Alexander's disapproval was palpable. "No matter what he's done, he's still your son. Amy, are you really going to deny him?"

"It's not me who's denying him," Amy replied flatly. "To Liam, I'm just an embarrassment of a mother. Maybe he's better off without me."

"So, you're just going to keep indulging this manipulative little boy instead?"

Amy's expression darkened. "Alexander, I won't tolerate you speaking about Oliver like that. He's five years old—how could he possibly be manipulative? But you..."

A bitter smile curled her lips. "You'd sooner believe a five-year-old is cunning than admit your precious Victoria isn't perfect."

"Alexander, that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard all year."

Alexander frowned. "We're discussing Liam. Why bring Victoria into this?"

"Didn't you say my strained relationship with Liam is Oliver's fault? I think it's Victoria's. Is there a problem?"

"If just hearing her name makes you this defensive, Mr. Blackwood, then this conversation is pointless."

Amy was done wasting her breath on him.

She turned to Oliver. "Oliver, let's go."

Without another glance at the others, she spun on her heel and walked away.

By the time the confrontation ended, it was well past noon. Amy took Oliver to a cozy diner nearby, one with glowing reviews.

"Oliver, I'm sorry," she murmured, guilt lacing her voice. "I never meant for you to get dragged into this mess."

Oliver shook his head, putting on a brave face. "I'm okay."

He hesitated before adding, "Liam... doesn't hate you as much as he says. If he really didn't care, he wouldn't feel like I took his mom away."

Amy searched his eyes. "Even now, you're defending him?"

"I just think Liam isn't that bad..." Oliver suddenly grabbed her hand, his expression pleading. "Amy, can we just forget about it? Please don't stay mad at Liam. And..." He glanced around, his eyes wide and innocent. "Can we not tell Dad about this? Please?"

Amy was stunned. "But your injury—"

"It'll heal in a few days. Barely hurts anymore. And Dad always says real men don't whine over little things. If I run to him crying, he'll think I'm weak." Oliver blinked up at her. "Amy, I don’t want Dad to think I'm not strong. Can we keep this between us?"

Guilt crashed over Amy like a wave.

Oliver was just a child. He couldn’t mask his emotions like an adult.

She could tell he was lying—he was only trying to make things easier for her.

Her heart ached with warmth and regret.

Even if Oliver was mature for his age, she couldn’t help but favor Liam over him.

At that moment, she understood why Alexander and Liam always rushed to Victoria’s defense.

The scales were simply tipped differently.

Amy signaled the waitress and ordered a kid’s meal for Oliver and herself.

Oliver’s health wasn’t perfect, but compared to Liam, he had it easy—at least he could eat most foods without worry.

Liam, who had just arrived at the diner, watched from a distance, bitterness twisting inside him as he saw Amy sharing a milkshake with Oliver.

Victoria, noticing Liam’s gaze, followed it and spotted Amy laughing with Oliver over their dessert.