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.**