I hurled my glass at Sebastian's mother's feet, shattering it into a million pieces.

"Unworthy? And who are you to judge?"

My outburst shocked everyone into silence.

"Enough! How dare you speak to my mother like that? Have you completely lost your mind?"

Sebastian bellowed, lunging forward and shoving me aside.

"Don't hit Mommy!"

Selena, bless her heart, darted forward, pushing Sebastian back and shielding me.

Sebastian stared at his daughter, dumbfounded.

I quickly pulled Selena behind me, my eyes blazing, bloodshot and fixed on Sebastian.

"That's right, I've lost my damn mind!"

I spun back to face his mother, my fury reignited.

"Valentina takes Sebastian to physical therapy once, and suddenly she's the thoughtful, considerate daughter-in-law material you've always wanted."

"Meanwhile, I personally gave him eye massages for ten years. Ten years! I sacrificed my career, my ambitions, my dreams for him, and in the end, I'm the shrew you see before you."

I turned back to Sebastian, my voice laced with venom. "Sebastian, what am I to you? Some kind of glorified nanny for the Walker family?"

He couldn't meet my gaze, his eyes skittering away like frightened mice.

His mother pressed her advantage, her voice dripping with disdain. "Isn't that your role? Anything you’ve done, a hired nanny could have done better."

"Besides, you're completely negligent with Selena. You're utterly unfit to be a mother."

"Mommy is a good mommy!" Selena wailed, hugging my leg and glaring up at Sebastian's mother.

His mother pounced on it. "See? This is your doing. You've spoiled her rotten, letting her become so disrespectful, daring to yell at me."

Suddenly, it wasn't Valentina's supposed shortcomings anymore, but my own indulgence.

And my daughter was defending me.

Sebastian chimed in, "You really should learn how to be a better mother."

I offered him a withering smirk. "Learn from your mother, you mean?"

Sebastian opened his mouth to retort but froze, a sudden flicker of realization crossing his face.

Valentina, however, seized the moment, fawning with feigned admiration. "Of course! Auntie raised Sebastian so brilliantly. He's a Fortune 500 CEO! Her parenting methods are legendary."

Sebastian's mother preened, and the sycophants around them chimed in with their flattery.

I scanned the room, a sneer twisting my lips.

They all saw the polished, successful Sebastian. They'd conveniently forgotten the rebellious, self-destructive fool he once was.

I turned my gaze, dripping with mockery, back to Sebastian. "Sebastian, do you honestly think your mother is a good mother?"

A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, mistaking my question for sheer lunacy.

But Sebastian's reaction silenced them.

He looked from his mother to me, his eyes wavering, a battle raging within him.

"Yes!"

Sebastian was protecting his mother, alright.

But that fleeting hesitation, that barely perceptible pause, hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation.

Seeing her mother's face darken, Valentina, ever the opportunist, stirred the pot. "In front of everyone, you're still trying to drive a wedge between Sebastian and his aunt. Who knows what lies you spread behind their backs!"

His mother's expression turned venomous. "Sebastian is my flesh and blood. Everyone knows how devoted I am to him. His success today is all thanks to me."

Valentina, ever eager to please, chimed in, "Auntie, if you share your secret methods for raising Sebastian, I'll use them to guide Selena. We'll raise her to be a strong woman, just like all the Walker children should be."

Sebastian's face contorted. "No!"

Valentina backtracked smoothly, "Oh, right. It's even better if Auntie teaches her personally. That's the only way Selena will truly reach her potential."

Sebastian’s voice was firm, unyielding. "Selena cannot be raised by Mom!"

Valentina blinked, utterly bewildered. The entire room fell silent, stunned.

"What do you mean, 'cannot be raised by Auntie'?"

Sebastian’s patience snapped. "It means no, and that’s final! No explanation needed!"

His mother, enraged, demanded an answer.

Sebastian stood there, mute. I, however, had no such qualms.

"Because," I stated calmly, "she's not a fit mother."

Sebastian whirled on me, his voice sharp. "Shut up!"

He wanted me to stop, but I wasn't about to let them off the hook.

"Make me shut up? So Selena can end up reliving your childhood?"

Sebastian's tone softened, a desperate plea entering his voice. "Please, just stop talking."

I looked at him, a cold resolve settling over me. "From now on, our daughter's upbringing is my responsibility."

Sebastian nodded, a look of weary surrender on his face, about to agree when his mother cut in, her voice a shrill shriek.

"No! You wretched woman, what scheme are you cooking up now!"