aising that

t, Mom held up her hand. "Will you promise

ands, unable to

this of me. The irony wasn't lost on me. On the day t

her? She was my home, my everything. Since Dad died, it had always been just us, so how

aying the fear I tried so hard to hide. Deep down, I knew

w cheeks, skin that had long lost its glow. But her eyes... her eyes stil

. "But before I die, I want you to promise me you will be happy. That's th

break free. Mom didn't need to see me fall apart. She needed to see me strong, capable of

elt like glass in my throat,

too fragile. Standing up took all my strength, every f

art, broke through it with her cheerful voice. "Happy birthday, Lily." She held up a ca

It was pointless, but I still made a wish. I wished for Mom to be

rs. We must eat before it

om downstairs

s and carefully descended the stairs. She felt so light, almost like a

led when I finally lo

aking my mouth water. I suddenly realized I was sta

eline said, pointing out the

hours cooking these for Li

these. It was your recipe," Celine c

made an effort to prepare this for me. I'm really s

en grinn

an eat? My stomach is

d, I served Mom a small portion before

e asked, taking a bite of her food. Her attention was focused on

ot to ask. I'm eager to hear the-" She finally raised her head and stopped upon seeing my expr

ve asked," she blurted out. Regr

like the food even though I had lost my appet

further and let her attention wander back to her food. Mom did t

fter we finished our black forest cake fo

Celine had already gathered the e

responsibility," I protested, transfe

clude me in preparing meals. I'm just returning the favor," she reasoned. "Y

surrendered.

d watch her favorite talk show on the

stopped halfway at the sound of my phone ringing. Thinking it was

eat rise in my chest like a boiling kettle. The ner

apped, trying to keep my voice

o wish you a h

ight, you thought you'd complete the package by ruining my birthday too.

last ni

er things to do than li

off mid-sentence. The phone lit up with an up

wer, letting the hot water blast against my skin

ed the foggy mirror. My reflection stared back, eyes

off the hanger and put it on slowly. Fir

round. I put on some light makeup to cover up the dark circle

e uniform was neat, and my hair was tidy enough.

I'd done for work, my phone was

aw 10 missed cal

d the block button. The screen went quiet. N