Mother Is Not Mothering

It had been two weeks since they returned but Theo hadn't contacted her once.

Daisy tried not to overthink it at first. Maybe he was busy. Maybe he needed space. Maybe… he forgot her number.

Still, the silence felt heavier with each passing day.

She had even asked Aurora if she had seen him at the office lately, hoping for anything—a glimpse, a word, a sign. But Aurora only shook her head, sighing, "Honestly, the past week, it's been hard to even spot him. And now with the new director arriving soon, our department's a mess. I doubt I'll be able to help you keep tabs on him right now."

Daisy sat at her vanity, her eyes drifting to the phone on the table—Theo's phone. The one he left behind in a rush… and never once came looking for.

Her fingers twitched.

"Should I use that as an excuse?" she muttered, staring at the cold, black screen as if it might light up and give her an answer.

But silence came again.