Dorothy moved slowly through her cozy kitchen, the soft shuffle of her slippers barely breaking the silence. She adjusted her glasses and ran a finger over the calendar hanging by the fridge. Her heart warmed as she traced the bright red circle marking today’s date—her birthday.
Birthdays had always held a special kind of magic for her, even when celebrated alone. With a hopeful heart, she busied herself in the kitchen, filling the air with the comforting aroma of roasted chicken, freshly baked bread, and warm spices. Each dish was prepared with care, a reminder of the meals her children, Miley and Ryan, had once loved.
After hours of cooking, she set the table with her finest dishes, placing a beautifully frosted pie at the center. As the sun dipped below the horizon, she settled into a chair, a framed photograph resting beside her. It was an old lakeside picture of her with Miley and Ryan, their faces beaming with joy. But Dorothy’s gaze lingered on the torn edge of the photo—where someone had once stood before being deliberately removed.
She pushed the memories aside and turned her attention back to the clock. Excitement buzzed in her chest as she waited for her children to arrive. But as minutes stretched into hours, that excitement slowly turned into anxiety. She dialed Miley’s number—no answer. Ryan’s—still nothing.
Then, the doorbell rang. Relief washed over her as she rushed to the door. But instead of her children, a young courier stood there, holding a white box.
“Miss Dorothy? This was ordered especially for you.”
Confused but hopeful, she accepted the package. Once inside, she carefully lifted the lid. Inside was a cake, beautifully decorated in white frosting. But as her eyes fell on the message written across it, her breath caught in her throat.
“We Know What You Did.”
Dorothy’s hands trembled, a wave of cold fear crashing over her. Her buried past had come back to haunt her.
Frantic, she grabbed her car keys and drove straight to Miley’s house. Heart pounding, she knocked desperately on the door. Silence. Panic gripped her. Just then, a familiar voice broke through the night.
“Dorothy? What’s going on?”
Sharon, Miley’s neighbor, stood in her doorway, watching with concern.
“I’m looking for Miley and Ryan. Have you seen them?” Dorothy’s voice shook.
Sharon nodded slowly. “They left this morning. I overheard Miley mentioning the lake.”
Dorothy’s blood ran cold. “The lake…”
Memories, both sweet and painful, surged through her mind. Without another word, she rushed back to her car, speeding toward the place that held the darkest parts of her past.
When she arrived, the lake’s surface reflected the soft glow of twilight. She spotted Miley’s car parked nearby. Her heart pounded as she hurried toward the old gazebo by the water’s edge. And there, sitting at a weathered wooden table, was a face she never expected to see.
Robert.
His once-dark hair had turned gray, his face lined with time and regret.
“Hello, Dorothy,” he said softly. “It’s been a long time.”
A storm of emotions swirled within her—anger, confusion, disbelief. “What are you doing here, Robert?”
Before he could answer, a firm voice called from behind her.
“We deserve the truth, Mom.”
Dorothy turned to see Miley and Ryan standing there, their expressions unreadable.
Ryan’s voice was sharp. “You told us Dad disappeared. But that wasn’t true, was it? You took us away from him.”
Tears burned Dorothy’s eyes. “No, I— I was protecting you.”
Miley’s voice cracked with emotion. “Stop lying! We don’t want excuses anymore!”
Before Dorothy could respond, Robert stood up, his voice calm but heavy with regret. “Stop. It wasn’t your mother who lied. It was me.”
Silence fell over them.
“What do you mean, Dad?” Miley whispered.
Robert exhaled shakily. “I left. I ran away from my responsibilities. Dorothy begged me to stay, but I was a coward. She never wanted to tell you the truth because she didn’t want you to grow up thinking your father abandoned you.”
Tears streamed down Miley’s face. Ryan looked down, guilt settling in.
Dorothy stepped forward, voice trembling but filled with love. “We can’t change the past. But we can choose how we move forward.”
Miley and Ryan hesitated before embracing her tightly. “We’re so sorry,” Miley whispered.
Ryan nodded. “Can you forgive us?”
Dorothy smiled through her tears. “Always.”
Robert watched, longing in his eyes. Dorothy turned to him, hesitating before speaking. “If you’re truly ready, maybe we can all find a way to move forward. Together.”
Robert nodded, hope flickering in his tired eyes. “Thank you.”
As the stars blinked to life above the lake, Dorothy realized that this birthday, though painful, had given her something more precious than candles and cake—a second chance at family, love, and forgiveness.
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