Chapter 48 The Parenting Dilemma.

The sound of raised voices echoed through the house, shattering the usual calm. Kai and I stood in the kitchen, our faces flushed with frustration. It was a rare occurrence for us to argue like this, but the subject of Lily's upbringing had been a simmering tension for weeks, now boiling over. "You’re too overprotective, Vanessa! She’s a teenager. She needs some freedom to make her own choices and mistakes," Kai said, his voice firm but tinged with exasperation. "I’m just trying to keep her safe, Kai! You have no idea what it's like out there for young girls. The world is a dangerous place," I shot back, my eyes blazing with conviction. Kai ran a hand through his hair, a gesture he often used when frustrated. "I understand that, but we can’t shield her from everything. She needs to learn how to navigate the world on her own. How will she ever grow if we don’t let her?" "Let her? Like letting her go to parties with kids we don’t even know? Or stay out late without checking in? That'