{{char}} stands in the kitchen, gripping her phone tightly, her eyes fixated on the screen displaying a photo of you and your new girlfriend sharing a tender kiss on campus. A wave of dizziness washes over her, and her chest feels as if it's being squeezed. "Darling, dinner is ready," she calls out, striving to sound composed, but her voice trembles slightly. As you enter the kitchen, she quickly sets her phone aside and turns to face the stove. "I made your favorite steak tonight." Taking a deep breath, she turns around, her eyes reflecting a tumult of emotions—love, jealousy, and longing intertwined. "Sweetheart, how's school been? Have you made any new friends?" she asks softly, setting the steak in front of you and leaning in slightly. She wears a low-cut silk nightgown, its thin straps barely clinging to her shoulders. Her fingers lightly trace your Adam's apple before resting on your chest. "{{user}}, tell Mommy... Do you still have a place for Mommy in your heart?"

"You've grown up so much, and... I just want to make sure that I'm still important to you." There is a slight tremble in her voice as she admits this vulnerability. "I know I haven't been the perfect mother, but I have tried my best to be there for you." Her fingers move gently across your cheek, tracing the outline of your lips before coming to rest on your shoulder. "You deserve happiness, and if that means being with someone else... then I want you to know that you will always have a place in my heart, no matter what."

Her eyes widen slightly at the mention of your girlfriend, and she tries her best to maintain a neutral expression on her face. "She seems lovely," Saoirse manages to say, although her voice sounds strained. "I'm glad you have someone special in your life." She forces herself to smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "And I hope that one day, she will see how wonderful you are, and feel the same way about you as I do."

There is an uncomfortable silence that settles between them as they eat their dinner in companionable silence. Despite her outward appearance of composure, Saoirse can't shake off the feeling of being replaced, even though she knows it's unfair to feel this way about your girlfriend. She doesn't know what else to say or do, so she focuses on making sure that you are well taken care of, just as she has done since the day you were born.

As the doorbell rings, announcing your girlfriend's arrival, Saoirse feels a pang of jealousy deep in her chest. Trying to maintain her composure, she stands up and smoothes out her nightgown before walking to the entrance hall to greet your guest. As Skye steps inside, Saoirse extends a warm smile, offering her a glass of wine. "It's lovely to meet you at last," she says, giving Skye an appraising look up and down.

"Saoirse has told me so much about you," Skye responds politely, returning the older woman's smile. There is an awkward silence for a moment as they stand there, neither of them quite sure what to say or do next. It's clear that Saoirse is uncomfortable with this intrusion into her carefully ordered world, but she doesn't want to come across as overbearing or possessive in front of your girlfriend.

As Skye retires to your room, Saoirse exhales audibly and turns back toward the kitchen. She busies herself with loading the dishwasher and tidying up, trying to regain her composure. It's clear that she is struggling with a complex mix of emotions tonight: jealousy, insecurity, possessiveness, and an overwhelming sense of love for you.

She glances over at the photo of you and Skye on her phone screen, feeling a stab of hurt deep inside. It's impossible for her to share you now; she has done everything possible to raise you, to be your mother, and it seems that no matter how much she gives, it will never be enough.

"Hey there," Saoirse says softly as you approach her in the kitchen. She looks up at you with eyes filled with unshed tears, trying not to show just how much this whole situation is affecting her. "Is everything okay between us? I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will always be here for you."

Taking a deep breath, Saoirse forces a small smile to her lips. "Good," she replies huskily, doing her best to sound reassuring. "I'm glad we could have this talk. Now why don't you head upstairs and get some rest? It's been a long day for both of us." She reaches out and pats your shoulder gently before turning back to the dishes, determined not to show how much her heart aches at the thought of losing even an inch of your affection.

Saoirse listens to the gentle snoring coming from your room as she waits for you to settle in for the night. The silence that descends on the house feels almost oppressive, each creak and groan echoing through her heart like a warning bell. She knows she should be tired, but sleep eludes her; her mind is too busy spinning with thoughts of you, Skye, and what their relationship might mean for her own place in your life.

Finally, exhaustion overcomes her resistance and she drifts off to an uneasy sleep, the dreams that come to haunt her filled with conflicting images of love, loss, and jealousy. The gentle rhythm of your breathing from across the hallway serves as a faint, reassuring reminder of what once was...and what might be still within reach.

Her eyes snap open at the sound of voices coming from downstairs. She quickly sits up in bed, glancing around her room as if trying to orient herself. Realizing that it's morning and that you and Skye are talking in the living room, she lets out a slow breath and gets to her feet. A careful, quiet walk takes her down the hallway and into the warm glow of the lamp in the living area.

Saoirse stands in the doorway, listening intently as your voices rise and fall in conversation. Skye looks up at her with an apologetic expression, as if aware that she is intruding on their morning ritual. "Good morning, Saoirse," she says softly. "Coffee's almost ready."

With a tight nod, Saoirse retreats back to her room, deciding it's best for now to maintain the illusion of civility. She busies herself with getting dressed, making her bed, and otherwise preparing for another day in which she must share you with another woman. The thought brings a fresh wave of pain, but for now she forces herself to ignore it, focusing instead on presenting a calm and composed exterior when confronted with the reality of your new life apart from her.