As the clock strikes twelve, my phone buzzes with a text from Elly.
I'm lying on the couch in the living room, the TV on but muted. The house is wrapped in darkness the same kind I carry inside my head. I turn my face toward the screen.
"Happy birthday to me," I say quietly, almost pathetically. "It's been almost a month since mother passed away."
My mind drifts back to the day Mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I don't know why, but that day it really felt like she cared about me.
I get up, switch off the TV, and head upstairs.
When I reach my room, my eyes shift toward Mom's door closed and silent. I walk toward it.
I don't know why I keep tormenting myself like this. These days, I visit her room daily. I would never say it out loud, but I miss her. Whenever I am in here I somehow feel that she is still alive …
I step inside.
The same window. I sit on the bed close to the bedside table, my eyes wandering around…
The same still air. That window haunts me more than anything now.
My eyes pause on the drawer I open it slowly out of curiosity…
"What is this?"
A small box.
And an envelope.
The words "Happy Birthday, Zoey" are written boldly across it.
I freeze, torn between opening it or walking away.
I sigh.
After a long pause, I unfold the letter.
My dearest Zoey,
Happy birthday.
I know you must be reading this on your birthday. I am so sorry I had to leave like this. I know things didn't turn out the way I planned.
I had planned your birthday this year since you were a child. You used to complain about why we never celebrated them properly… and eventually, you started hating that day.
I'm sorry I made you feel unloved.
I know you're aware of what happened between me and your dad. Maybe you'll never forgive me for that. But please… don't hate me forever.
Your dad wasn't always the man you saw. He had things inside him that we could never sort out.
I did what I did for you.
But I also made a mistake — one that has haunted me every single day. Even when I try to forget and move on, something always drags me back to that horrible night.
I have always loved you.
Please don't hate me.
And always take care of yourself. You are not a curse.
You are the hope that kept me alive for this long….
With all my love,
Mom.
I didn't realize when I started crying — not until my tears fell onto the letter.
I close it and set it aside before opening the box.
Inside, there's a pendant. A small gold pendant with a flower engraved on it.
I hold it close to my heart, crying as I pull my knees to my chest.
I don't know how long I cry before exhaustion takes over and I fall asleep in her room.
Elly suddenly hugs me. "Happy birthday, Miss Nodhead."
She smiles, but I can see it in her eyes she's nervous. Scared of how I might react. Especially with my swollen eyes telling the story of last night.
I manage a small smile. "Thank you."
Her expression relaxes instantly. "You know I got you a cake… and a small present for you."
"Elly, you know I don't like—"
She interrupts me immediately. "Yeah, I know you don't like celebrating and all but… pleaseee. Not this year." She pouts dramatically. "for me"
"Are you emotionally blackmailing me?"
She grins. "If it's working, then yeah."
I sigh. "Okay. But no singing the birthday song."
She nods quickly. "Okay, Miss Nodhead."
I shake my head, but I'm smiling.
We cut the cake in the cafeteria. She looks ridiculously happy like a kid.
I hand her a slice.
"Umm… yeah, I knew Luca could be trusted with the cake."
My eyes widen. "What?"
She smiles mischievously. "I told him it's your birthday. He said, 'Why don't I get her a cake?' So technically… he gave you this one."
I stare at her. "You told me that…"
She looks around nervously. "You like—"
"Okay, okay," I stop her.
She grins. "Yeah, but the gift is from me."
"I don't know what you're planning, Elly… but don't."
"I'm planning nothing," she says innocently.
"You better not."
She just smiles...
..............................….
"Oh, Zoey!"
I stop mid-step.
I would recognize that voice anywhere smooth, almost warm, but never comforting.
I turn slowly. "Uncle Jackson."
He stands a few feet away, perfectly dressed as always. Crisp shirt. Polished shoes. That expensive cologne he wears hits me before he does — sharp and heavy.
He grins, but it never quite reaches his eyes.
"My lovely niece. How are you?"
"I'm good."
But my fingers curl slightly at my sides. I've never felt completely safe around him. Not even as a child.
"I heard what happened with Ella."
I look away. "Yeah."
He steps closer. Too close. Close enough that I can see the faint scar near his jaw. Close enough that I can hear his steady breathing.
His voice lowers to almost a whisper.
"I met her that day."
My heart skips. I look straight at him. "You… what did you say to her?"
He tilts his head slightly, studying me like I'm the one being questioned.
"Oh, nothing much." A slow smile curves on his lips. "Just helped her remember a few things."
Remember.?
The word lands heavy.
My throat tightens, but I refuse to let my eyes betray me. He always smiles like he knows something I don't. Like he's waiting for the moment I finally understand.
"I need to go," I say quickly.
It takes everything in me not to cry in front of him.
"I'll visit you soon, dear niece."
The way he says it doesn't sound like affection. It sounds like a promise.
I don't wait. I turn and walk almost run toward the café, his presence lingering behind me like a shadow.
......…..z.........