Skylar paced around the living room, glancing nervously at Valentina’s closed bedroom door. Emilio sat on the couch, head in his hands, deeply worried. Valentina, had been struggling with anxiety for a few days now, and had experienced three panic attacks in just two days. It had been a sudden twist from the years she had gone without an attack, and the intensity was alarming. Her cousins, Jared and Lorenzo, were energetic boys who didn’t fully understand the impact of their loud noises and constant activity on Valentina’s condition. Currently, she had locked herself in her room and had refused to talk to anyone. Her sobs were deafening and the boys had been freaked out by her sudden behaviour, Lorenzo even going as far as sitting in front of her room, and balling his eyes out as she cried inside. That was to be expected as he had grown up with her and had been with her longer than Jared. Jared on the other hand, had been curious and kept asking questions about the current situatio

Skylar gently nudged her sons awake with a soft whisper and a bright smile. “Time to get up, guys. We have a big day ahead.”Jared groaned and rolled over, while Lorenzo rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking around blearily. Skylar moved to check in on Sophia, who was already up and preparing for school, her dark hair neatly brushed and her uniform tidy.“Morning, Sophia,” Skylar said, giving her a quick hug. “How did you sleep?”“Pretty well,” Sophia replied with a smile. “I’m just getting my stuff ready.”“Great. I’m going to get the boys cleaned up and dressed,” Skylar said, heading back toward the boys’ room.At that moment, Pietro walked in. “Hey Skylar, I’ve got the boys. You focus on everything else,” he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.Skylar smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Pietro. That would be a big help.”With a nod, Pietro scooped Lorenzo up, who giggled in delight. “Alright, little man, let’s get you and your brother cleaned up,” he said, carrying Lorenzo to the

Pietro pulled up to the kindergarten just as Skylar emerged from the building, holding Lorenzo’s hand. The young boy’s face lit up when he saw Pietro, and he broke free from his mother’s grip, running to the car with exuberant energy.“Pietro!” Lorenzo shouted, jumping into the car.Skylar followed more slowly, her eyes catching Pietro’s. “Hey,” she said softly as she climbed into the passenger seat. She glanced back at Jared, who sat quietly in the back, staring out the window. “Jared, sweetie, how was your day?”Jared shrugged, his voice barely audible. “It was okay.”Skylar frowned, her worry deepening. Pietro had texted her that something had happened in Jared’s school. Before she could ask more, Pietro gave her a small, reassuring nod and mouthed, “Later.” Skylar bit her lip and nodded back, deciding to let it go for now.The drive to Pietro’s house was filled with Lorenzo’s happy chatter, a stark contrast to Jared’s silence. Skylar kept glancing at Jared through the rear-v

Valentina awoke with a start, her screams piercing the pre-dawn silence. “No, Mom! Please don’t go!” she shrieked, her voice hoarse and desperate. Her small frame was soaked in sweat, and her sheets tangled around her like a web. In the adjacent room, Emilio shot up in bed, instantly awake. “Valentina!” he gasped, dashing to his daughter’s room with Evelyn close behind. They burst through the door to find Valentina sitting upright, her eyes wide with terror. “Sweetheart, it’s okay, it’s just a dream,” Emilio said, his voice trembling as he tried to calm her. Valentina’s eyes darted around the room before locking onto Evelyn. With a sudden burst of energy, she leaped from her bed and clung to Evelyn, sobbing uncontrollably. “Don’t die, please don’t die! I’ll be good, I promise! Just don’t leave me!” she begged, her voice a fragile whisper between sobs. Evelyn knelt down, wrapping her arms around the trembling girl. “I’m not going anywhere, Valentina. I’m right here,” she whisper

Valentina stirred in her bed, the morning light filtering through the curtains. She felt a gentle caress on her hair and slowly opened her eyes to see Evelyn, sitting beside her. Evelyn smiled warmly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Valentina’s face.“Good morning, sweetie,” Evelyn greeted, her voice soft and caring.Valentina smiled sleepily. “Good morning,” she replied, feeling the warmth of Evelyn’s affection as she received a tender kiss on her forehead. This was a stark contrast to the days before when she would wake up screaming several times in the night.“Take your time getting ready,” Evelyn said. “Breakfast is almost ready downstairs.”Valentina nodded, feeling a sense of comfort and safety in Evelyn’s presence. As Evelyn stood to leave, Valentina hesitated for a moment, gathering her courage to speak. “Evelyn, wait,” she called out, her voice barely above a whisper.Evelyn turned back, concern in her eyes. “What is it, Val?”Valentina took a deep breath, her small