Freya "It's okay," I told the teacher softly, forcing my voice to remain steady despite Selene's whine of distress inside me. "Let them chat. Don't disturb them." After hanging up, I immediately sent Isabella a message asking about her first day at school. Had she made any new friends? What did she eat for lunch? I reminded her to listen to her teachers and take her afternoon nap when the time came. Over ten minutes passed before I finally received a curt voice message from my daughter: "I know, Mom. I'll take a good nap." Selene whimpered within me, sensing the dismissive tone even as I tried to convince myself I was being oversensitive. My cub was just busy with her new school. That was all. "Your daughter sounds adorable," Sherry commented, having observed my exchange.

