My Son Called Her Mommy

Shannon strutted toward me, the click of her high heels punctuating every step. She towered over me, her eyes filled with disdain as a mocking smile curled on her lips.

“Well, well. You even brought a gift, huh? Do you really think this little trick would work? Good thing I came to pick up Dan today, or who knows where you'd be taking him!” she sneered.

I almost laughed out of sheer anger at her words. “Stop slandering me! I have photos of Dan on my phone, and I can show you his birth certificate!”

Turning to my son, I pleaded, “Dan, say something! I’m your mom!”

For a split second, Dan’s gaze faltered. He looked at me, then back at Shannon, his small brow furrowing in confusion. However, his expression soon turned cold, just like his father—distant and detached, as if he were staring at a stranger.

“Photos? Birth certificate?” Shannon scoffed. “You must be one of the help. It’s not unusual for a nanny to have pictures of the kids they take care of, is it?”

One of the preschool teachers, visibly nervous, pushed through the crowd, glancing between Shannon and me before stepping protectively in front of her and Dan.

“Mr. Jeremy often picks up Dan with Ms. Shannon. Dan even calls her ‘Mom.’ I think you’re the one here trying to kidnap him,” the teacher accused, sizing me up and down.

Then, she added in a lower voice, “Mr. Jeremy is a well-known young CEO around here. I bet you’re just after his money, aren’t you?”

These people weren’t even bothering to figure out the truth! I was Dan’s real mother!

Shannon pretended to shrink back in fear, her voice soft and full of pity. “I mean, Dan’s father is the CEO of a listed company, a successful man… I can see why women would fantasize about being his wife. But trying to kidnap his child? Really?”

I laughed bitterly. Fantasize about a man who married into my family? What a joke.

Without another word, Shannon hurried to load Dan into the back of the car.

I lunged forward, my heart racing. “Where are you taking my son?!”

She shoved me away. “Taking your son? Ha! A kidnapper trying to play the victim!”

Her words stirred the crowd even more, their eyes on me growing harsher. I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my composure, and looked directly at Dan.

“Dan, are you really going to abandon me, your mom? Is that it?”

His lips parted as if he was about to say something, but before he could, Shannon slammed the car door shut. She whispered something to the driver, and I could see the car about to pull away.

I tried to run after it, desperate for answers, but a bystander grabbed me by the arm, holding me in place.

“Don’t even think about running! You’re not getting away. I’ve called the cops. You’re going to prison, kidnapper!”

My whole body trembled with rage as I pointed helplessly toward Shannon, my words coming out jumbled. “I’m not a kidnapper! I’m really Dan’s mother! She’s the one kidnapping my son!”

Shannon’s cold laughter cut through the air. “Look at yourself. You think a woman like you could ever get with Dan’s father, the CEO of Ziegler Industries?”

Her words ignited the fury of the crowd around us.

“Yeah, right! Someone like her could never marry Mr. Jeremy. She’s definitely a kidnapper! My cousin’s kid was taken by someone just like her. They never found him. Poor boy.”

“Kidnappers like her deserve to die!”

My hands shook as I fumbled to pull out my phone, hoping Jeremy could clear my name.