Oliver's gaze, dark and intense like polished onyx, settled calmly on Liam.

"No matter where we place in this competition, no matter how Amy performs, I will never be ashamed of her," he declared, his voice steady with conviction.

Liam huffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "Hmph! Just wait until you're the one humiliating yourself—then we'll see if you still talk like that! And don't you dare cry when we lose, you troublemaker!"

It wasn't always this way. Liam hadn't always felt this burning embarrassment toward his own mother.

But everything changed the day Victoria re-entered their lives.

Since then, it seemed like Mom was always the one being laughed at. The worst was his birthday party, when she got into a heated argument with one of Nathan's friends. The entire room had gone silent, eyes darting, whispers spreading like wildfire as she made a scene.

He'd overheard the adults—uncles and aunts—murmuring that his mother lacked refinement, that she was an embarrassment. Some even said it was no wonder Dad always took Victoria to important events instead.

Back then, Liam was still at his old preschool, where everyone knew Amy was his mom.

The birthday disaster became the talk of the school. The story spread, and soon, every kid in his class was snickering behind his back, calling his mom a joke and mocking him as the "peasant's son."

Friends who once played with him now avoided him. He felt utterly alone, ostracized by nearly everyone.

Thankfully, he transferred to a new school soon after.

Here, no one knew who his mother was.

He excelled in everything—academics, sports, music. The teachers adored him, and he quickly made new friends. He even started bringing Victoria to parent events, relishing the envious looks from his classmates.

Liam loved this new life.

But lately, his mom barely spoke to him. The emptiness gnawed at him, leaving him feeling hollow and miserable.

If only Mom could be as perfect as Victoria, he thought bitterly.

Victoria smiled gently. "Liam, if there's nothing else, let's go back and rehearse, okay?"

Liam nodded. "Okay."

Alexander gave Amy a long, searching look before turning to leave.

"Wait."

A deep, commanding voice cut through the tension. Sebastian's words resonated through the room like a quiet thunder. "Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Langley—you just accused Celeste of something she didn't do. Don't you think an apology is in order?"

Victoria turned, her expression cool. "Ms. Sinclair may be Liam's mother, but she took him without informing anyone. She is the one who owes us an explanation."

Oliver stepped forward, unfazed. "Liam just admitted he came with us willingly. Ms. Langley, weren't you the one who insisted Liam never lies? Or have you already forgotten your own words?"

Victoria's retort died on her lips.

Sebastian watched them with a faint, knowing smile. "So, which is it? Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Langley—do you never admit when you're wrong, or is it just that you can't bring yourselves to apologize to Celeste?"

"Is this the example you want to set for Liam?"

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. Alexander and Victoria's expressions darkened, the pressure undeniable.

Liam stood beside them, watching with wide, hopeful eyes.

If they refused to admit their mistake now, how could he ever trust them in the future?

A heavy silence stretched before Alexander finally spoke, his voice rough. "I'm sorry."

With Alexander apologizing, Victoria had no choice. She forced a contrite smile. "Ms. Sinclair, I apologize. I misunderstood."

Liam looked away.

He didn't see anything wrong with Dad and Victoria apologizing to Mom. He'd been taught since childhood—when you make a mistake, you own up to it.

And this time, they had misunderstood. Apologizing was the right thing to do.