CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT - The Unthinkable Crime

The next few days followed a similar pattern. Each morning, Ella and Lucas would start with renewed determination, armed with lesson plans and activities they'd stayed up late preparing. By Wednesday, the initial novelty had worn off for Sophia. "Why can't I go to school like my friends?" she asked during a particularly challenging math lesson. "I miss playing with other kids." Ella felt a pang of guilt. "We're trying something new, sweetie. But you'll have a playdate this weekend, remember?" As the week progressed, the chaos in their home grew. Every surface seemed to be covered with educational materials – flashcards, worksheets, art projects in various stages of completion. Despite their best efforts to maintain order, the boundary between home and school had blurred completely. Their work lives were suffering too. Both Ella and Lucas found themselves falling behind on projects, struggling to balance their professional responsibilities with their new roles as educators. On Thur