Mia never expected her husband Ben’s sudden push to homeschool their daughter, Lily, to unravel everything she thought she knew. It began at a dinner party, where Ben passionately described a creative, free-form education. Mia was surprised—he’d recently favored strict private schools—but his charm won everyone over. In the weeks that followed, Ben brought it up constantly until Mia agreed. He designed a curriculum, set up a learning corner, and frequently insisted Lily was “thriving.” Mia, working long hours, trusted him.
Everything changed the day she came home early. Expecting a sweet homeschooling moment, she instead heard Lily crying. “I miss my friends… they probably think I don’t like them,” she sobbed. Then came the words that stopped Mia cold: “You’ll still bring them those gifts like when Mommy’s at work?”
