Amy Sinclair turned to see Liam following closely behind Alexander Blackwood. Though the man was addressing her, his concerned gaze remained fixed on Victoria Langley.

In the past, the slightest discomfort from Victoria would send both Alexander and Liam into a frenzy.

She remembered one particular outing to the botanical gardens. Whether it was heat exhaustion or one of Victoria's chronic conditions flaring up, the woman had suddenly swayed dangerously.

Alexander had rushed forward so hastily that he'd knocked Amy to the ground in his panic. The irony? When he later noticed her scraped knees, he'd casually asked what happened.

A trembling voice pulled Amy from her memories.

"Liam, it was my fault for losing my balance," Victoria said, shaking her head with tears glistening on her porcelain cheeks. "My constitution has always been... delicate."

Liam's lower lip jutted out stubbornly. "But I saw Mommy push you."

Turning to Amy with the solemnity only a five-year-old could muster, he continued, "You always say we must own up to our mistakes. Grown-ups shouldn't break promises, right?"

Amy had dedicated herself to Liam's wellbeing—though his intellect required little nurturing. Fluent in three languages by five, his sharp mind often left adults speechless. Margaret Blackwood constantly remarked how he'd inherited Alexander's brilliance.

Now that brilliant mind was being weaponized against her.

As his mother, Amy understood the importance of leading by example. But today, she wouldn't yield.

Her gaze drifted to the trio—Alexander's protective stance, Liam's earnest expression, Victoria's fragile beauty. They looked like a perfect family unit. The realization stung more than she cared to admit.

Meeting Liam's expectant eyes, Amy said calmly, "You're absolutely right about taking responsibility. But..." She let the word hang between them. "I did nothing wrong, so why should I apologize?"

This marked a departure from her usual concessions.

Liam blinked rapidly. "But I saw you push Aunt Victoria!"

Amy's lips curved slightly. "Since when does physical contact automatically imply wrongdoing?"

"But you taught me hitting is bad—"

"And I also taught you," Amy interrupted gently, "that while we must never bully others, we should never tolerate being bullied either. Sometimes, boundaries must be enforced."

For all his precociousness, Liam was still a child. This unexpected response left him momentarily speechless.

The tense silence was broken by Benjamin Carter's firm voice. "Liam, that's no way to speak to your mother."

Both Blackwood males turned as if noticing Benjamin for the first time. Liam's eyes widened. "Mr. Carter?"