Chapter 1 - A Birthday Meant to Be Simple
Three hours earlier, Willow had awakened before sunrise and climbed into Gabriela’s bed.
“Am I five now?”
Gabriela opened one eye and smiled. “Officially five.”
Willow held up all five fingers as if presenting proof to a courtroom. She had spent weeks talking about her birthday, but she had asked for only one gift: a boxed doll named Celestine, dressed in pale blue with tiny silver shoes.
Gabriela could have ordered it online. She could have had ten dolls delivered. Money had not been a problem since her software company, Northstar Learning, became one of the fastest-growing education platforms in the country.
But Willow wanted to choose the doll herself.
So Gabriela planned a small afternoon trip to the supermarket toy aisle, followed by cupcakes at home. No rented ballroom. No photographers. No expensive decorations. Just a mother, a daughter, and a birthday that belonged to them.
That plan changed when Vanessa called.
“We are already nearby,” she announced. “Your father wants to see Willow.”
Gabriela nearly said no. Ronald rarely called Willow except when cameras were present. Vanessa had never forgiven Gabriela for being Ronald’s daughter from his first marriage. Since marrying him, Vanessa had acted as if Gabriela were an inconvenient document that could not be shredded.
Still, Willow heard the voice through the phone.
“Is Grandma coming?”
Gabriela hesitated.
Willow loved easily. That was her greatest gift and Gabriela’s greatest fear.
“Yes,” Gabriela said. “But we are keeping today peaceful.”
Vanessa arrived with Ronald, Gabriela’s half sister Janice, Janice’s husband Peter, and a six-year-old girl named Piper, Vanessa’s favorite granddaughter.
The gathering that was supposed to be simple suddenly became a family performance.
May you like
Gabriela should have left then.
Instead, she told herself that one afternoon could not hurt.
