Claws Out

The next morning, after dropping off their kids at school, Delphinia and Maya decided to spend some time together. It had been a while since Delphinia had enjoyed a casual outing like this, and she was grateful for Maya's company.

Unlike most of the other mothers, Maya was straightforward, fierce, and unapologetically herself. It was a quality Delphinia admired—something she, too, wanted to embody when facing the scrutinizing eyes of the elite wives and mothers.

"Alright, what's the plan?" Maya asked as they walked through the mall's spacious corridors, her sunglasses perched atop her head. "Are we getting coffee first, or are we diving straight into shopping?"

Delphinia smiled, linking her arm with Maya's. "Straight to shopping. I need a few new pieces for my wardrobe, and I want to see if I can finally put my 'tough' face on."

Maya chuckled. "Tough face? For what?"