MY MOTHER-IN-LAW CALLED ME IN A PANIC ABOUT MY SON—WHEN I GOT HOME, MY HEART SANK

Albert and I had just started our honeymoon, two days into our dream vacation. It was supposed to be **our time**—a fresh start, a celebration of our love.

But then, my phone rang.

**Carolyn. My mother-in-law.**

Her voice was frantic, almost hysterical.

> *”Sara, you need to come back NOW! Something terrible happened to James. It might be too late if you don’t come!”*

And then… **she hung up.**

No explanation. **Nothing.**

My heart **stopped.** My son, James—my **baby**—was back home with her. Was he hurt? **Was he even alive?**

I barely remember rushing to the airport, barely remember the flight back. Every second felt like **a lifetime**.

Albert kept saying, *”I’m sure it’s fine,”* but I could see the doubt creeping into his face.

The second we landed, we **ran** to the house.

I threw open the front door. **My heart dropped.**

Because there, **sitting perfectly fine on the couch, eating a sandwich… was James.**

No injuries. No tears. Just **confused as hell** about why I had just burst in like a madwoman.

And then, I turned.

Carolyn stood there, arms crossed, a **smug look** on her face.

> *”Oh good, you’re back. Now that you’re here, you can be a proper mother and stop leaving him behind.”*

She had **lied**.

Manipulated me.

**Destroyed my honeymoon—just to prove a point.**