"Victoria, you have no idea how terrifying your mom was yesterday," Victoria whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "When you had that allergic reaction, there was a doctor right there, ready to help. But your mom stopped him—she insisted on using your inhaler instead."

"Inhaler?" Liam frowned in confusion. "But I didn’t even have it with me."

Victoria nodded, her expression heavy with guilt. "She wouldn’t listen. She was so determined to find it..."

Her eyes welled up as she looked at Liam apologetically. "I’m so sorry, sweetheart. The inhaler got knocked over and broke... If your mom finds out, she’ll be furious with me. She might even forbid me from seeing you again."

Liam forced a reassuring smile. "She doesn’t have to know. It’s okay, Victoria. I won’t tell her."

Victoria’s tears turned into a relieved smile. "Good. This stays between us, alright?"

Liam hesitated. Just us? Not even Dad? He bit his lip. His father had strict rules about forbidden foods—if he found out Victoria had been sneaking him treats, the fun would be over. Maybe... some secrets were worth keeping.

He nodded. "Okay."

Victoria held out her pinky. "Pinky promise. Whoever breaks it is a little rascal."

Liam hooked his pinky around hers. "Whoever breaks it is a little rascal."

After sealing their promise, Liam couldn’t shake his curiosity. "Victoria, what did you mean when you said Mom didn’t let the doctor help me? What really happened?"

He needed to know.

Victoria hesitated, her expression conflicted. "Liam... are you sure you want to hear this?"

Liam’s gaze hardened. "Yes. Tell me."

She sighed, looking torn. "Maybe it’s better if I don’t say anything... It’s all over now."

Her reluctance only made him more desperate.

"Victoria, please. What happened?"

She glanced at the door, a silent warning.

Liam understood. "I won’t tell Mom or Dad. I promise."

With a reluctant sigh, Victoria finally gave in. "Alright."

She pulled out her phone and played a carefully edited clip—just the moments where Amy had blocked the doctor from helping.

The video was short, barely a minute, but by the end, Liam’s eyes burned with unshed tears.

Victoria leaned in, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Liam, sweetheart... I probably shouldn’t say this, but—" She sighed dramatically. "Your mom has been spending a lot of time with Oliver lately. And your dad... well, he’s not happy. Do you think... maybe she doesn’t want you anymore? That she’s replacing you with Oliver?"

"Bad mom!" Liam burst out, tears spilling over.

He clenched his fists. "If she doesn’t want me, then I don’t want her either!"

Victoria watched his outburst with a faint, satisfied smile.

Outside the hospital, Alexander finally caught up with Amy, his voice tight with frustration.

"Amy, how much longer is this going to go on?"

Amy stopped, turning to face him with exhaustion in her eyes.

"Alexander, don’t tell me you still think this is just a game."