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.