Chapter 10 - The Birthday Party
Today was Leo's first birthday.
We hosted a massive party in the gardens of my family's estate, complete with a petting zoo, a bouncy castle, and a towering, three-tier cake.
Friends, family, and colleagues filled the lawn, their laughter echoing under the bright summer sun.
As I was carrying a tray of drinks, the head of our security detail approached me quietly.
"Ma'am, there is someone at the front gate," the guard murmured.
I handed the tray to a waiter and walked up the long driveway.
Standing outside the heavy iron gates was Ryan.
He looked older, thinner, and deeply tired, wearing a faded jacket and holding a small, cheap toy wrapped in newspaper.
"I just wanted to drop this off," Ryan said, his voice barely above a whisper.
I looked at him, feeling absolutely no anger, no sadness, and no regret.
I just felt an overwhelming sense of indifference.
"You shouldn't be here, Ryan," I said calmly. "The restraining order is still in effect."
"I know," he choked out, tears pooling in his eyes. "I just wanted to see him. Just once."
"You made your choice a year ago," I replied, my voice steady and firm.
"You went on vacation. I built a life. There is no place for you in it."
I turned my back on him and walked back toward the sound of music and laughter.
I didn't look back as the security guards escorted him away down the street.
I walked into the garden and scooped my laughing son into my arms, holding him tightly as everyone gathered to sing happy birthday.
May you like
The past was finally dead and buried outside those gates.
Our beautiful future was just beginning.
