All Chapters of The Moment of No Return: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Mom, I want that one."The sweet plea of my son's voice pulled me back from my thoughts.I looked down to see my three-year-old pointing eagerly at a cake behind the glass counter, his big eyes filled with hope.The saleswoman smilingly chimed in, "This is our latest creation, a peanut-flavored cake with a whopping fifty percent peanut content. And it comes with our very own handmade Chocolate-Covered Peanuts! This is the last piece we have for today.""I want that one, Mom." He wrapped his little arms around my leg, his determination clear—he was not leaving without that cake.Memories flooded my mind.It was my birthday, but it was also a haunting reminder of the past.In my previous life, my son had a severe peanut allergy attack, just an hour after eating! However, I had bought a strawberry cake, not a peanut one.I had been so careful, checking everything he ate to make sure there was not even a trace of peanuts. How did he still have an allergy reaction?My fingers pinc

Chapter 2

"Son, what's the matter?!" James's voice, thick with panic, cut through the door and into the room.I opened the door with a steady hand.The clock struck six o'clock on the dot—the same moment my son's tragedy unfolded in my previous life.There he was, sprawled on the living room floor. The cake I had bought was missing a piece.His complexion was ghostly, his hands clawing at his throat in a silent struggle for air.An allergic reaction, no doubt about it.James was tearing through drawers and cabinets in search of medication.When he spotted me, his eyes brightened with hope. "Honey, our boy's having a reaction. You've got the meds, haven't you?""Yes, I've got them."I nodded but stood still.As my son's face started to turn a shade of blue, my mother-in-law's patience snapped, her voice laced with reproach. "If you've got the medicine, then for heaven's sake, bring it out!"Even our friends were pressing me."Come on, can't you see how much he's suffering?""Joyce, w

Chapter 3

A quarter of an hour later, the doctor burst in.We all stepped back, holding our breath, eyes wide with fear as the doctor rushed to save our boy.However, Brian had already slipped away. His skin was a map of red welts, his little body barely twitching then—it was a bad sign.I stood there, numb.My lack of reaction drew sharp whispers from onlookers."Joyce, your son's fighting for his life, and you're just standing there?""Are you even his mother?"Before I could muster a word, James was there, shielding me. "Sorry, Joyce is just in shock. She loves Brian more than anyone. Let's not do this now."He shot me a look meant to comfort me, the same way he always had my back.The doctor worked furiously, but time was not on our side. Brian's pupils were blown, the heart monitor flat.The doctor let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head defeatedly. "I'm sorry, we've done all we can."My mother-in-law's cry tore through the room as she begged, "There's got to be something more, do

Chapter 4

No one expected me to say that.The room went dead silent.Staring at my son's body, covered in red spots, I frowned as if repulsed. "Of all the days to die, he had to pick my birthday. Talk about a jinx."The people around me shot me furious looks."Joyce, that's your flesh and blood! How can you be so heartless?""Your little boy is just three! He was so excited about sharing cake with you, and this is what you do?""Joyce, I can't believe I was ever friends with someone as vile as you."Their anger was palpable, their insults hitting me like bricks.James grabbed my wrist in disbelief, his grip tight. "Honey, stop spouting crazy talk!"I know losing Brian is tearing you apart. However, no matter how much you blame yourself, it won't bring him back. If Brian could see you now, he wouldn't want you hurting yourself for him!"James's words were sincere. It was as if he got that my harsh words came from a place of desperate love.I just laughed.I shot back, every word delib

Chapter 5

"Joyce, have you completely lost it? You destroyed Brian's life-saving medicine. Wasn't hurting him enough for you? Now you're making up wild stories to go after my son!" Fury blazed in my mother-in-law's eyes.James, caught off guard by my accusation, managed a bitter smile. "If only it had been me. Then I could've gotten to Brian in time to stop the allergic reaction. I'd give my life for that."Tears broke through as James covered his face, his sobs slipping through his fingers.His raw emotion only fueled the crowd's anger."She's out of her mind.""She doesn't even regret what she did to her own son, and now she's trying to pin it on someone else. Why isn't she the one who's dead?""Her poor husband and mother-in-law, stuck with a heartless witch. Marrying someone like her brings misfortune to the whole family.""Shameless woman! How can you even show your face? You don't deserve to live. Just die!"Even friends could not watch without speaking out against me."Joyce, whe

Chapter 6

"How could you even think that, honey?" James staggered back as if I had struck him, his voice a hoarse whisper. "You and Brian mean everything to me. You're my world."His misery was on full display. Suddenly, he was the martyr, the family man everyone pitied."Why does she get to have such a great guy?""It's a cruel world when men like him end up with women like her. Makes me green with envy.""If he were my husband, I'd be slapping myself after every argument."The crowd's jealousy and bitterness were all directed at me.I was tired of his charade. With a nonchalant shrug, I reached into my bag and pulled out a life insurance policy."I bet the 4.5 million-dollar insurance policy is what you really care about."I flung the document across the table.The date of the policy was crystal clear, issued just one week prior.The insured: myself and Brian.The sole beneficiary: James.With the number of spousal murders for insurance payouts on the rise, suspicion was inevitable

Chapter 7

Everyone was shocked. They thought I had lost my mind—a murderer calling the cops on herself.I stayed silent, waiting for the police to arrive.When they did, the crowd rushed to tell them everything."Officer, this woman is a killer! She poisoned her own son with an allergen.""She destroyed her son's life-saving medication right before my eyes, watching nonchalantly as he choked for air.""Let the record show, she's the killer!"The doctor who stayed confirmed that Brian, my son, had indeed died from suffocation—a telltale sign of a severe allergic reaction.The police stepped up to me. "Ms. Scott, we need you to come with us for questioning."I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I can't do that."My resistance seemed to stop time itself, and everyone around me thought I was signing my own death warrant.The officer's brow creased, and I did not mince words. "I didn't kill anyone."Furthermore, I'm filing a report against my husband, James—he's been plotting to kill me and my son

Chapter 8

The curses stopped abruptly.James' eyes flickered, but he tried to stay calm. "What are you talking about? Brian has to be yours. I swear, I've never betrayed you.""You never did betray me." I faced James with a steady gaze. "Brian wasn't born to me. What's more, he isn't your biological son either."My declaration left everyone reeling.The cop, looking puzzled, asked, "So, did you two adopt the kid?"I simply shook my head.James cut in before I could elaborate, "No, Brian is our flesh and blood."You carried him for nine months, and I was right there with you every step of the way. I witnessed his birth with my own eyes."Besides, you've been so protective of Brian since day one, never trusting anyone else to care for him. He's never been out of your sight. How could he not be our biological son?"James's reasoning seemed flawless.My mother-in-law backed him up. "Joyce, what have we done to you that you keep trying to hurt us like this?"They were in perfect harmony.

Chapter 9

Joy had just begun to bloom in my mother-in-law's heart.However, then she saw Brian, lifeless and pale on the ground, and it was like a cruel splash of reality."Joyce, how could you use Brian's death to toy with me!"James chimed in, his voice measured, "I wish Brian didn't have the allergy, but we all saw his reaction."I'm aware that Brian isn't your flesh and blood, and I can only imagine how hard that hit you. You decided to get back at me and Mom by killing Brian, didn't you? I'm at a loss for words."Joyce, just own up to it. I don't have the right to hate you, but I'll be there for Brian, making things right on your behalf."James's words were laced with emotion, but they all pointed the finger at me for Brian's death.I had always known he would not confess easily. With that, I pulled out a medical report.Right after getting the cake, I rushed Brian to the hospital for a full check-up.The results were clear: Brian had no peanut allergy.The mother-in-law grabbed t

Chapter 10

James's expression turned sour."I'm not beating around the bush," I said, pressing on. "From the moment Brian was born, he became your mom's whole world."You're in therapy every week, trying to calm your mind with self-hypnosis, but it's no use. You're jealous because Brian has taken all of your mom's affection."You had a scheme, giving Brian all sorts of pills to make it look like he had allergies. Today, you messed with his meds."You dosed him early, and that drug, that was what really killed him."I bit my lip, deep in thought.I had considered trying to save Brian. However, James had everything timed perfectly. Even if I had not brought Brian home, he was doomed.My mother-in-law's eyes bulged, filled with shock."James, is it true... is what she's saying true? Tell me, you're the only one I'll believe."My mother-in-law gripped James's sleeve for dear life, like someone flailing for a lifeline.Then, out of nowhere, James chuckled."Well, Mom is going to be disappoi

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