Sara didn’t let it go.

She paced the living room, heels clicking against the marble floor, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. “This has gone too far, Derek. Do you see what’s happening? Our son is calling the nanny mama. The nanny!”

Stiles sat on the rug, cradling Eli against her chest. The baby still sniffled softly but had calmed down, nursing peacefully as she rocked him. Her eyes were red, her lips trembling, but she stayed silent, pressing kisses to Eli’s soft hair.

Derek rubbed his temples, his patience thinning. “Sara—he’s six months old. He’s learning sounds. It doesn’t mean he thinks she’s his mother.”

Sara whipped around, glaring at him. “Don’t defend her! This slut—” she spat the word like poison, “—is trying to replace me!”

Stiles flinched at the venom in Sara’s tone, holding Eli tighter.

Derek’s jaw flexed. “Enough. She takes care of Eli better than anyone else. Better than you, Sara.”

Sara’s eyes widened, scandalized. “Excuse me?”

“You barely hold him. You’re more worried about your body, your diet, your social image than your son.” His voice was calm but cold, final. “Stiles hasn’t manipulated him. She’s just… there for him. Every second of every day.”

Sara’s lip curled, but she saw the truth in his eyes and knew she was losing the fight. With a sharp huff, she crossed her arms. “Fine. If you want to keep her, then I’m going out. I can’t stand being in the same house as her.”

Derek reached into his wallet, pulling out his black card. He held it out. “Take this. Go to the spa. Go shopping. Do whatever you want. Just… cool down.”

Her anger evaporated in an instant, replaced by a greedy spark. She snatched the card, glaring at Stiles one last time before storming out of the mansion.

The moment the door slammed, silence fell.

Derek sighed, sinking onto the sofa, eyes softening as he looked at Stiles. She sat curled up with Eli, rocking him gently, humming a lullaby under her breath. Her tears still glistened, but her expression was tender, focused only on the baby.

“Stiles…” he began quietly, moving closer.

She shook her head, clutching Eli tighter, her cheek pressed against his little curls. “I don’t care what she says. I’m not trying to take her place. I just… I love him. He’s my baby too.”

Derek’s chest tightened. He placed a hand on her shoulder, gentle. “I know. And he loves you back. Don’t let her words make you doubt that.”

Stiles finally looked up at him, eyes wet and shining. “Then don’t ever make me leave him, Derek. Please.”

Her voice cracked on the plea, desperate and raw.

Derek’s hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her against his chest as Eli nestled between them. “You’re not going anywhere. Not while I’m here.”

Stiles clung to both of them, trembling, whispering softly against Eli’s ear. “Mama’s here, baby. Mama’s not leaving you.”

Derek heard it, the word she shouldn’t say, but he didn’t stop her. Because deep down, a part of him knew… maybe she was more of a mother to Eli than Sara would ever be.