Liam stood with his arms crossed, his little face set in defiance. "I won't say sorry to him!"

Amy didn’t argue. Instead, she simply said, "Then move aside."

There was a time when Amy would have bent over backward for Liam, catering to his every whim. But now, she was distant, even demanding he apologize to another child.

The shift was jarring. Liam stomped his foot, frustration bubbling over. "I don’t want you taking care of him!"

Amy arched a brow. "And why should I listen to you?"

"Because you’re my mom!"

"Am I?" Amy let out a soft, humorless laugh. "I thought I was just the nanny."

Liam’s mouth fell open, stunned into silence.

Victoria, who had been watching the exchange, finally spoke up, her brow furrowed. "Ms. Sinclair, he’s just a child. Why are you being so harsh?"

Amy turned to her, unimpressed. "Ms. Langley, this is a family matter. As an outsider, you have no business interfering."

Her words mirrored Alexander’s earlier dismissal, and Victoria flinched, her eyes welling with tears.

"I—I didn’t mean to overstep. Liam is still so young. As his mother, you shouldn’t speak to him like that."

Amy’s voice was sharp. "How I raise my son is none of your concern. Family issues stay within the family."

The words were cutting, and Victoria’s tears spilled over, making her look like a delicate flower crushed underfoot.

Nathan pointed an accusing finger at Amy. "What’s gotten into you, Amy? Feeling bold now that you’ve got backup?"

Amy smiled coolly. "Actually, yes. Normally, I’m outnumbered. It’s refreshing to finally have a voice."

She turned back to Liam, who was still blocking the door. "We’re leaving. Move."

Liam’s jaw clenched. "If you walk out that door, I won’t call you Mom anymore! You have to choose—me or that new kid!"

Amy had heard enough ultimatums for one day. It wasn’t that it didn’t hurt—it did. But she was numb now.

"Fine. I choose Oliver." With that, she stepped around Liam and walked out.

Liam stood frozen, as if he’d been struck. He never thought she’d actually choose someone else over him.

Sebastian glanced at the stunned faces around him, shrugged, and followed Amy without a word.

Only then did panic set in. Liam turned to Alexander, his eyes brimming with tears. "Dad… does Mom not want me anymore?"

Before Alexander could answer, Nathan scoffed. "Don’t be ridiculous. She’s just trying to manipulate you and Alex with that father-son act. Remember all the times she faked being sick or 'kidnapped' just to get attention?"

Liam hesitated. "Mr. Prescott… is that true?"

"Would I lie to you? Just wait. As long as you and Alex don’t fall for it, she’ll come crawling back."

Liam bit his lip. "Really?"

"Absolutely!" Nathan declared. "Once a woman has kids, she’s tied to them for life. I’ve got a friend whose wife was cold before kids, but afterward? She’d fight tooth and nail to keep the family together, even when his ex came back into the picture."