CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN: MOM?

The sound of the front door opening startled Anna as she sat in the living room, lost in her own thoughts. She looked up to see Oliver bounding into the room, his face lighting up with excitement at the sight of her. "Mommy, Mommy, guess what?" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Anna forced a smile, her heart heavy with worry. "What is it, Oliver?" she asked, trying to muster some enthusiasm for her son's sake. "I got an A on my math test!" Oliver exclaimed, waving a piece of paper triumphantly in the air. Anna's smile faltered as she took in the sight of her son's beaming face. "That's great, Oliver," she said, her voice lacking its usual warmth. "I'm proud of you." But even as she spoke the words, a surge of frustration and anger bubbled up inside her. She couldn't shake the feeling that Oliver's presence was like a constant reminder of everything that was wrong with her life, everything that had gone so horribly wrong. Without warning, the anger boiled over, and