Alexander's brow creased in irritation as he glanced at his buzzing phone. "I have to go," he muttered abruptly, already striding toward the door without so much as a backward glance at Amy.

She stood motionless, watching his retreating form with hollow eyes. Another late-night summons from Victoria. How many times had this happened now? She'd long since stopped counting.

By dawn, Amy had packed her last suitcase. Pausing outside Liam's bedroom, she drew a steadying breath before pushing the door open.

Her son had inherited his father's sharp features and aloof demeanor. Born prematurely, Liam had always been delicate—a fragility that made Amy fiercely protective. Now he sat hunched over his homework, the weekend sunlight casting angular shadows across his focused expression.

"Morning, Mom," he said absently, not looking up from his books.

Amy's fingers tightened around the doorframe. "I'm leaving today. You'll... take care of yourself."

"Sure." The single word hung between them, weighted with indifference.

The distance had grown steadily since Victoria entered their lives. Amy could still recall the viral video—Liam licking melted ice cream from his fingers while Victoria's saccharine voice asked leading questions off-camera.

"Rachel lets me eat whatever I want," her son had declared with chocolate-smeared cheeks. When prompted to compare them, his answer had been devastatingly simple: "Obviously her. If Mom were half as cool..."

Amy had enforced bedtimes and balanced meals to rebuild his fragile health. The irony wasn't lost on her—her care had strengthened his body while withering their bond.

As she turned to leave, Liam's voice stopped her. "Mom?"

She turned slowly.

"You always said you'd accept anyone I liked." His pencil tapped against the textbook. "I like Victoria. Does that mean you will too?"

Something inside her fractured. Amy's lips curved in a joyless smile. "You've always wanted to protect her, haven't you? Well now you and your father can do that together."

Confusion flickered across Liam's face, but Amy didn't stay to explain. The front door clicked shut behind her with finality.

Outside, Samantha leaned against the car, arms crossed. As she loaded the last suitcase, her assessing gaze swept over Amy's carefully composed expression.