Chapter 1

We were stuck in traffic on the highway when my two-month-old son, Benjamin Wagner, started wailing with hunger.

When I reached for the hypoallergenic formula I'd prepared, I found expired dog food instead. I scrambled in search of the formula, but my husband, Isaac Wagner, stopped me.

"I gave the formula to Nancy because her dog's been having stomach issues lately. Just find something else to feed Benjamin for now. Nancy's dog cost 30 thousand dollars, so it deserves the two-thousand-dollar formula. Benjamin is a boy—he needs to learn to tough it out."

I yanked my arm free from his grip and hissed, "Benjamin has severe allergies. He's reactive to over 200 substances and needs to drink the hypoallergenic formula. He's only two months old! He can't even handle solid food yet! You took his special formula to feed a dog. Do you want him to starve to death?"

Isaac frowned, annoyed. "Nancy's parents are gone. Rocky is the only family she has left. What's wrong with letting it have a little formula to ease its stomach? You're a mother. How can you be so heartless?"

I was ready to bolt out of the car. "Is our son's life worth less than a dog's?"

Isaac slapped me, yelling, "As the saying goes, a baby only grows strong if they experience a little hunger and cold. It won't kill him to miss a few meals. Back when we were kids, nobody had allergies. It's just an excuse for being over-pampered. A little hunger will help clear his stomach. Stop overreacting."

My heart wrenched as I looked at my son, who was weak and pale from hunger. I dialed a number I hadn't called in years.

…

"It's just a can of formula! Do you really have to make such a scene? Aren't you embarrassed?"

Isaac ripped the phone from my hand and threw it out the window. It hit the road with a thud and bounced several times before the screen shattered into pieces.

Benjamin was crying so hard his face had turned pale, and he was struggling to breathe. I tried to soothe him.

Just as I was about to exit the car to retrieve my phone, Isaac shoved me back into the seat.

"Give it a rest! So what if he missed a meal? A little starvation will make the child healthier."

I retorted, "Benjamin has been without formula for three hours. If this continues, his blood sugar will plummet. We're in the middle of nowhere, and the ambulance can't even get here. What if something happens to him?"

I suppressed my trembling and tried to appeal to whatever sense of fatherly duty he had left. "Benjamin had a difficult birth and survived only after spending a month in an incubator. He's made it this far because of meticulous care. He isn't like other healthy children. He can't skip a meal."

Isaac hesitated for a split second before his gaze turned back to ice. "Make him stop crying, will you? Nancy's dog just fell asleep. If the noise wakes him, he's going to be cranky again."

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. Benjamin was crying so hard that he was on the verge of suffocating, yet he mattered less than a dog's nap.

Five years of love and three years of marriage. Was this all it was worth?

Just then, there was a light tap on the car window. Nancy Parmer was beaming as she held the poodle. "Isaac, thank you so much for the milk. Rocky is feeling much better."

"Give the formula back to me! My son is hungry!" I cried, my voice trembling with desperation.

Nancy blinked innocently and said, "Oh no. What should we do? Rocky hasn't had his fill yet. Its stomach issues have just started to stabilize. If he stops eating now, he'll have a relapse."

My heart felt as if it were being crushed, the pain making it hard for me to breathe. "Who said you could take my son's prescription formula?"

Nancy's eyes instantly filled with tears. She looked at Isaac pitifully and said, "Isaac, have I caused you trouble? I think Eliza's upset. I'm just an orphan—I shouldn't have expected anyone to help me.

"Rocky, it's my fault. I'm too weak to protect you. I'll get the formula right now. It doesn't matter if Rocky starves to death. That's just my luck, being all alone in the world with no one to lean on."

Isaac quickly got out of the car and placed his hands reassuringly over Nancy's shoulders. "Don't say that. It's not your fault."

He shot me a cold look and continued, "Some people just love to blow things out of proportion, acting like a lunatic over a can of milk."

Nancy cast a timid glance at Benjamin, who was crying miserably. "But Benjamin has never cried like this before. Has Eliza not been taking proper care of him?"

Although she spoke softly, it was clear enough for the surrounding passerbys who were drawn to the commotion.

"My goodness. Is she copying those TV dramas? Hurting her child just to win her husband's affection?"

"Who goes out with just one can of formula? She's definitely just picking on the other woman because she's an easy target."

"She can't even handle her own child. How dare she blame others?"

Isaac scowled and jabbed a finger at me. "Are you done with this pretense? You don't even work, and you can't even manage one child. You're just a petty woman who can't bear to see Nancy happy."

I was shaking with anger. I raised my hand to slap him, but at that moment, Benjamin's crying began to fade. His face was turning purple.

"Benjamin!" I frantically rubbed his back, but his breathing grew weaker. I bit my lip until it bled, refusing to let a single tear fall.

"Benjamin hasn't drunk the formula for four hours. He's in danger! We're stuck in traffic, and the ambulance can't get to us. I'm begging you to return the formula."

Nancy cut in with a chuckle, "Are you trying to play victim again? Is your life so miserable that you have to use your son to stage an act?"

Isaac wrenched his arm away from me in disgust. "You've lost your mind from staying at home with the baby all day! You're always paranoid and spouting nonsense."

Then, he shoved me with sudden force. I pressed Benjamin to my chest, but the back of my head slammed hard against the car door.

My head exploded in pain, and my vision went dark. However, I didn't have time to check my injury. I needed to check if Benjamin was hurt.

"Formula…" I mumbled, carrying Benjamin as I stumbled toward Nancy's car. I found the familiar can in the backseat, but it was empty.

Chapter 2

"How is this possible?" My hands shook as I held the empty can. "How could 900 grams of formula be gone so quickly?"

I raised my head and stared at Nancy. "Give me back my formula!"

Nancy covered her mouth with exaggerated shock, saying, "My goodness. Eliza, are you seriously making your son fight a dog for food? Have you lost your mind?"

I was trembling with fury and pointed at her face. "Didn't your mother teach you to keep your filthy hands off others' things? Benjamin is only 2 months old. Why are you so vicious?"

"How could you say that, Eliza? I kept two cans of imported dog food for Benjamin. They're from reputable international brands, more nutritious than regular milk formula."

Before I could say anything, Isaac snatched the cans of dog food and hissed, "The dog food that Nancy got for Rocky cost 500 dollars a can. Benjamin should count himself lucky that she's sharing with him. Instead of being grateful, you're repaying her kindness with resentment."

Then, he forcefully pulled Benjamin out of my arms and attempted to shove the dog food into his mouth.

I threw myself at Isaac like a madwoman. "Benjamin is only 2 months old! He can only drink formula. You'll kill him if you do that!"

My desperate pleading shook Isaac, causing him to hesitate for a moment. However, Nancy urged gently, "Eliza, I know you hate me, but you can't risk Benjamin's health just to vent your anger. Experts say that children need to be exposed to different proteins from an early age to grow stronger.

"My dog food is imported and of top-quality—its ingredients are cleaner and safer than baby formula. It won't hurt Benjamin to eat a little. This is all my fault. I'll leave with Rocky right away. Please, don't torture Benjamin."

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly filled with tears, and the people surrounding us immediately began to murmur.

"How can a mother be so heartless? The child is clearly starving, and she still won't feed him."

"Exactly. What's wrong with dog food? This is an exceptional situation. Can't she just make do for once?"

"Yeah! I think she's just using the child as an excuse, picking a fight out of jealousy."

"She's terrifying. She'd rather let her son starve, just to win an argument."

"The other woman means well. Having dog food is better than starving, isn't it?"

Their words made Isaac furious. He shoved me hard and bellowed, "Look at what you've done to Nancy!

Benjamin is definitely eating dog food today."

He tore the can open and crammed the foul, stinking paste into Benjamin's mouth.

A sharp pain ripped through my chest. I hurled forward like a madwoman, desperate to snatch it from Isaac.

Benjamin was choking, his face turning purple as a horrible gurgling sound tore from his throat. His tiny hands clawed weakly at the air. His nails raked bloody lines down Isaac's arm, but Isaac didn't seem to mind the pain. He was determined to finish his monstrous act of feeding.

Memories flooded my mind.

He had once stood outside the delivery room, weeping with joy as he promised to be the best father in the world.

He had once spent sleepless nights pacing the living room, rocking a wailing Benjamin in his arms, humming lullabies hopelessly out of tune.

We once made a promise by the crib that our child would grow up surrounded by love.

And now, that man who once cradled his son like a treasure was forcing dog food down Benjamin's throat, watching as his eyes rolled back, and doing nothing to stop it.

Five years of love, three years of marriage, and a thousand nights of trust—everything collapsed in that single moment.

"Isaac Wagner, let's divorce," I said calmly.

Isaac flung me aside and snarled, "Will you ever stop? Always threatening divorce like some bitter hag!

The road's jammed. Who are you trying to fool with your pathetic act? Do you really have to embarrass all of us?"

In my arms, Benjamin's frantic cries faded to weak whimpers. His small limbs twitched, then he grew

limp. I could feel his fragile life slipping away.

"Please, someone, help us call the police." I looked around at the crowd, begging for help.

Chapter 3

Isaac snapped impatiently, "What kid doesn't cry? A mother who coddles a child too much ends up spoiling him. She's got postpartum depression, so she's always paranoid and hysterical. Everyone, just ignore her."

My chest clenched so hard that it hurt to breathe each time. The world spun as I lifted Benjamin and cried out desperately, "Look at him! Benjamin can't hold on much longer!"

Unexpectedly, Nancy was the first to step forward. "Don't panic, Eliza. I know some basic first aid."

She pulled a small, unmarked vial from her pocket and tilted it to Benjamin's lips to feed him. Then, she turned her back to the crowd and flashed a menacing smile.

"Relax. It's just something to help him sleep. The dose is tiny, so he'll only sleep for a day or two," she said softly.

I stared at the vial of liquid in her hand and froze. "Get away from us!"

Nancy leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Eliza, if two of us fell at the same time, who do you think Isaac would help first?"

Before I could react, she shoved me hard and then deliberately fell backward. I instinctively protected Benjamin, taking the full impact as my knees slammed on the ground.

"That hurts!" Nancy sat on the ground and looked at Isaac with teary eyes.

"Eliza, I know you hate me, but you shouldn't have pushed me."

Isaac stormed over and kicked me in the shin. "Are you crazy, Eliza Ridge? How dare you bully Nancy in front of everyone?"

His foot landed exactly where my knee had already taken the hit. Pain exploded up my leg, and my vision went dark. Benjamin nearly slipped from my arms.

The crowd began whispering and pointing at us.

"That old hag must've gone crazy."

"She can't keep her man, so she's lashing out. What a disgrace to women."

"She's raising a child, but she acts as jealous as a teenager. Has she even looked in a mirror?"

I fought through the pain and tried to explain, "She pushed me first."

Nancy protested with a tear-streaked face, "Eliza, how could you say that? I only wanted to comfort Benjamin because he was crying so hard."

Isaac shook his head in disappointment and said, "I was going to speak up for you and Benjamin, but it seems unnecessary now."

Nancy's friend added mockingly, "Maybe we should dump her on the highway. You're so unfortunate to be traveling with a shrew."

Benjamin's face grew paler by the second. I struggled to beg a passerby for help.

"Please, call me an ambulance. My child is almost dying."

The woman frowned and stepped back. "Listen to my advice. When you're out in public, don't embarrass your man. How is your husband going to command respect, given your public outburst? Just lower your head, apologize, and it'll all blow over."

I nearly passed out. I tapped Benjamin's cold cheek, whispering, "Benjamin, don't sleep. Look at Mommy."

Just then, the police loudspeaker sounded. "The traffic is clearing! Everyone, please return to your vehicles!"

With the last of my strength, I reached out to the fluorescent figure in the distance. "H-Help…"

Chapter 4

A surge of rage and terror ripped through me so hard that I could barely breathe. No matter how I opened my mouth to let air in, I felt like a fish gasping on dry land.

"Hurry! Call an ambulance!" Nancy shrieked, leaning against Isaac. "I think my ribs are broken. If they've punctured my lungs, I might die here."

Isaac rushed to hold her steady as they made their way to the traffic police. "Sir, my girlfriend's injured. She needs a doctor right away."

The policeman glanced at me, confused as he took in my disheveled state.

Nancy cut in, "I'm sorry for causing everyone so much trouble. I just borrowed a little of the baby's formula to feed my dog, and Eliza got upset and hit me."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued, "But I'll forgive her. She still has a child to take care of, after all…"

Everyone started whispering in agreement after hearing Nancy speak.

"What an angel. She's so kind after being attacked."

"Who fights with a dog over baby formula? Such a petty mother."

"Honestly, what's the big deal? It's just a can of formula."

Nancy deliberately stepped forward and shook my hand to make peace. However, when she turned her back to the crowd, her expression turned cold and vicious.

I tightened my grip on Benjamin and stepped back. Suddenly, she pinched the poodle in her arms. The dog winced in pain and sank its teeth into my hand. Blood started oozing out of my arm.

Nancy screamed and staggered back. "Eliza! I tried to make peace. Why did you attack Rocky?"

Isaac strode over and slapped me hard across the face. "You live on junk food. Your blood's probably toxic. If Rocky falls sick, I'll make you pay for it!"

Pain burst across my cheeks. Benjamin's cries turned into whimpers, and his face now had a bluish cast.

Some dog lovers threw their half-eaten burgers at me and snapped, "Picking on a dog? What's wrong with you?"

"An evil woman like her should be arrested."

"Sir, you need to punish her."

I bit my tongue until I tasted blood. Then, I mustered whatever strength I had left and pleaded, "Please, someone call an ambulance. My father is Adrian Smith. I'll pay you 100 million dollars if you help me."

The crowd erupted in laughter.

"You're the richest man's daughter? How many zeroes are there in 100 million dollars?"

"She's experiencing post-partum depression and needs to be sent to a mental hospital."

"Maybe look in the mirror before spinning fairy tales."

Nancy pretended to be concerned and said gently, "Eliza, stop it. You can be sent to jail for impersonating someone."

Isaac grabbed my hair and yanked me to the ground. "You're not going anywhere until you get on your knees and apologize to Nancy 100 times. I won't let you off so easily."

Benjamin's body began to jerk, and foam gathered at the corner of his mouth.

"Benjamin!" I screamed in agony.

Suddenly, a helicopter zipped over us in the sky, its deafening roar drowning out all the noise.

A furious voice boomed from the loudspeaker, "Who dares to hurt my daughter?"