Selena’s previous music teacher at her after-school program was a real gem. He made learning fun, playing along with the kids, and it really sparked her interest in music.

But Valentina thought it was a waste of time. She was all about results, believing that learning a song by heart was way more practical than nurturing a kid’s passion. So, she axed the class and made Selena focus on specific pieces instead.

Personally, I felt it was way better for a child to discover their interests at their own pace, happily.

So, I took Selena to find that teacher, Benjamin Foster.

After just two meetings, I clocked Benjamin as pretty shy. Seriously, this grown man would blush after just a few words with me.

He only perked up and really opened up when he talked about music or interacted with the kids.

Aurora tagged along once and swore he had a crush on me, even going so far as to say he wanted to be Selena’s stepfather.

I brushed it off. No way. He had only recently graduated, and my Selena was already seven. What guy his age would be into me?

Aurora just smiled, saying I wasn't noticing the way he looked at me.

I didn't think much of it. Honestly, dating was the last thing on my mind.

My divorce wasn't even finalized yet.

Life without having to constantly cater to a man was too good, and I wasn't ready to give that up.

Sebastian dragged out the divorce proceedings for another two weeks before finally showing up with Valentina in tow.

I was just about to pick Selena up from her class when Sebastian intercepted me at the door, pulling Valentina along to apologize.

"Valentina has never really taken care of a child before, and she went way too far in disciplining Selena. I brought her here to apologize to you."

I have no idea what Sebastian had said to Valentina, but I’d never seen her look so genuinely resentful.

She offered a reluctant apology, begging for my forgiveness, repeating that she hadn't known better, acted on impulse, and only wanted what was best for Selena.

Even if she’s never been a mother, she's definitely been a child. You don't know pain until you’ve experienced it yourself.

I couldn't stomach her insincere apology any longer and turned to leave.

Sebastian grabbed my hand.

"Natalie..."

He held onto me, but the words wouldn't come.

I hadn't seen him this hesitant in years.

Back when we first got together, he'd constantly try to read my mood, wondering if he'd messed up whenever I seemed upset.

Later, after we married, Sebastian morphed from that shy young man into the decisive Mr. Walker. I started watching his moods, trying to make him feel more comfortable at home.

Now, he was putting on this whole performance of deep affection, clearly hoping I’d say something to give him an easy way out.

But I wasn't going to play that game anymore. I shook off his hand and headed straight for the garage.

Valentina was seething at my attitude and rushed to block my path.

"Can't you see Sebastian has something to say to you? How could you treat him like this—"

"Enough!" Sebastian cut off Valentina’s tirade. "This doesn't concern you."

Valentina froze, stunned. Sebastian had been chewing her out for the past two weeks over Selena. She knew she messed up with Selena, but she never in a million years expected him to scold her because of me.

After all, no matter how much Valentina had driven me crazy before, Sebastian never blamed her. He’d always smooth things over to placate me—including that whole mess with the red high heels.

"Sebastian... I just can't stand how she treats you. She has no idea what you've been through these days—"

"This is between my wife and me. It's none of your business."

The word "wife" hit Valentina like a ton of bricks. She stumbled back two steps, then turned and bolted, tears streaming down her face.

I honestly didn't want to get dragged into their little drama; it had zero to do with me.

I’d only taken a few steps when my phone buzzed.

It was Selena’s music teacher, Benjamin Foster. He told me Selena seemed off today, that something might be wrong.

Aurora had been near Selena's school for work and offered to pick her up on her way to her own class. She happened to bump into Benjamin there, so they went to get Selena together.

The moment Selena stepped out of school, Benjamin could tell something was up.

I raced to the school and found Benjamin crouched down, trying to comfort Selena and cheer her up. Only then did I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"What exactly happened?"

Seeing me, Selena practically flew into my arms. Benjamin looked serious.

"Selena was bullied at school. I'm not sure if it was by other kids or a teacher."

Sebastian had followed me, and upon hearing Selena had been bullied, his immediate reaction was to grill Benjamin about who he was and what his relationship was with me.

I ignored his ridiculous questioning.

Grabbing him by the collar with a ferocity he'd never seen, I looked him dead in the eye:

"Sebastian, this is your family's kindergarten. If I find out your family had anything to do with this, you're going to regret it!"

The thought of it broke my heart. Over the years, I'd spent so little time with my daughter, and I had no idea how much she’d been suffering.

Benjamin stepped in to calm us down, suggesting we figure out what happened first.

I took Benjamin’s advice, but Sebastian kept hounding him about why he was there.

It wasn't until he learned Benjamin was a recent graduate, only two years out of school, and Selena’s music teacher that he finally seemed to relax.