CHAPTER 1 — The Gift in the Trash
CHAPTER 1 — The Gift in the Trash
Eight-year-old Lily Parker spent three weeks making the gift.
Every afternoon after school, she sat at her tiny desk cutting colored paper, gluing photographs, and writing notes in her neat handwriting.
It was for her father.
Tomorrow was his birthday.
Inside the handmade scrapbook were memories she treasured most: pictures from fishing trips, movie nights, and the day he taught her how to ride a bicycle.
At the center of the book she had written:
"To the best daddy in the world. Thank you for loving me."
Lily smiled proudly as she wrapped it in blue ribbon.
But someone else saw it first.
Her stepmother, Vanessa.
The moment Lily left the room, Vanessa opened the package.
She rolled her eyes.
"A scrapbook?" she muttered. "How embarrassing."
Without hesitation, she walked to the kitchen trash bin and threw it away.
The gift landed beneath coffee grounds and food scraps.
The next evening, the family gathered for Damian Parker's birthday dinner.
Guests filled the dining room.
Lily looked around nervously.
Her gift was missing.
"Vanessa, have you seen my present for Daddy?" she asked.
Vanessa smiled sweetly.
"No, sweetheart. Maybe you lost it."
Lily's eyes filled with tears.
She searched everywhere.
Nothing.
When it was finally time for presents, she stood silently in the corner while others handed Damian expensive watches, designer pens, and luxury gifts.
Damian noticed immediately.
"Lily?" he asked. "Didn't you have something for me?"
The little girl lowered her head.
"I made something... but it's gone."
Before she could say more, Vanessa interrupted.
"Children lose things all the time."
But something about Lily's expression bothered Damian.
It wasn't disappointment.
It was heartbreak.
That night, after everyone went to bed, Damian walked through the kitchen.
And something blue caught his eye inside the trash can.
A ribbon.
Lily's ribbon.
May you like
His stomach tightened.
He reached inside and pulled out the ruined scrapbook.
