Nicole cracked open the cake box, slicing off a piece.
“Don’t worry, Mom. That just means more cake for us, right?”
Nicole’s brave front cut me deep.
I felt utterly worthless, failing to grant my girl’s simple wish.
With a heavy heart, I messaged Simon again.
[All Nicole wants is one birthday with you.]
[Can’t you even do that much?]
Minutes ticked by until a ping broke the silence.
[Go ahead without me. I’ll do something special for Nicole later.]
I was about to lose it, but the message vanished, replaced by a new one.
[I’ll be there soon.]
