I was sitting quietly at a table with my 5-year-old son at my sister’s wedding. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and whispered, «Mom…

Sure enough, the toy car flew off the table with momentum, spinning to a stop on the carpet. Jacob hastily lifted the tablecloth and crawled under the table. Jacob, come out from there, it’s dangerous, Emily said, but her son was already searching for the toy car in the dark space under the table.

Under the table was a cramped space filled with adults’ feet and handbags. Jacob was crawling around looking for his red car when he discovered a small white piece of paper that had fallen near his grandmother Margaret’s handbag. It was a folded memo paper.

Jacob picked it up and, out of curiosity, tried to read the letters. He had recently learned to read simple words. The memo had a short sentence written in neat handwriting.

Table 8, please add shrimp to the main dish. Don’t worry about allergies. M. Jacob read the letters one by one.

Table. 8, shrimp. He knew their table number was 8. And the word, shrimp, filled him with a vague fear.

It was a word he had heard many times from his mother. Jacob must never eat shrimp. It’s very dangerous.

In his five-year-old way, Jacob understood that something was wrong. And he also understood that that M written at the end of the memo was his grandmother Margaret’s initial. His small hands began to tremble.

Why had his grandmother given instructions to add shrimp, which was dangerous for him? His young mind couldn’t understand it, but he instinctively sensed danger. Jacob quickly returned to above the table and, clutching his red toy car, tugged at his mother’s arm. Mommy, his voice was small and trembling.

What’s wrong, Jacob? Did you find your car? Emily noticed something was strange about her son’s behavior. Mommy, let’s go home. Right now, Jacob clung to his mother’s arm.

What’s wrong? Emily was surprised by her son’s unusual behavior. It’s still dinner time. Let’s wait a little longer.

Jacob glanced toward his grandmother. Margaret was talking cheerfully with other guests and hadn’t noticed her grandson’s condition. However, for Jacob, that smile was no longer reassuring.

Hey, Jacob. Why do you suddenly want to go home? Emily peered into her son’s face. Jacob answered in a small voice.

You didn’t look under the table, did you? Under the table? Emily was puzzled. What happened? Her son, trembling, held out the white piece of paper he had been clutching. Emily took it and the moment she read the contents, the blood drained from her face.

Table 8, Please add shrimp to the main dish. Don’t worry about allergies. M. Emily’s hands also began to shake.

Her son’s shrimp allergy was severe, if he consumed it, he would have difficulty breathing and in the worst case, it could be life-threatening. And this instruction had clearly come from her mother Margaret. Why? Why would her mother give instructions that would endanger her beloved grandson’s life? Various questions swirled in Emily’s head.

And she remembered how her mother had been abnormally worried about her physical condition all day long. As if she had been anticipating something happening. Mommy, I’m scared, Jacob buried his face in his mother’s lap.

Emily held her son while looking around. Her mother was still chatting with other guests. Her sister Sophia was talking happily with the groom.

The other relatives also seemed to be having a good time. However, to Emily, it all looked fake. Just then, the waiters began bringing out the main dishes.

Emily stood up and took her son’s hand. Jacob, let’s get out of here right now. Where are you going? Margaret turned around.

Dinner has just started. Emily stared at her mother. What was hidden behind that kind expression? Three years ago, when her husband Michael died, she had received a large life insurance payout…