The car ride home is filled with a heavy silence, the weight of the day's events hanging over them like a dark cloud.
Maya glances in the rearview mirror, her heart breaking at the sight of her children's somber expressions.
"I'm so sorry, my darlings," she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted you to have to deal with something like this."
Aiden reaches out, his small hand grasping hers. "It's not your fault, Mama. That boy was being really mean, and we couldn't just let him-"
Maya squeezes his hand, offering him a weak smile. "I know, sweetheart. And I'm proud of you for standing up for your sister. But you know violence isn't the answer, no matter how justified it may feel."
Eli nods solemnly, his brow furrowed. "We know, Mama. We just... we couldn't let him say th
