SEVENTY ONE

SLYVIA'S POV

As we drove home, I glanced back at Zenith and Zendaya in the rearview mirror. "So, how was school today?" I asked, hoping to distract myself from the day's stress.

The kids immediately launched into excited chatter, their voices overlapping. "Mommy, Ms. Beverly did this amazing science experiment today!" Zendaya exclaimed.

"Yeah, and we got to make volcanoes!" Zenith added, his eyes wide with excitement.

Their joy was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile, my heart swelling with pride and relief. Despite everything happening, they were having a good time and enjoying school. That was all I ever wanted—for them to live a happy, carefree life, something I had wished for myself growing up.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I listened to their animated recounting of the day. Zenith noticed it first. "Mommy, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

I quickly wiped the tear away, smiling at them through the mirror. "Yes, sweethearts, I'm okay. These are tears