A Love That Drowned in Silence

Jessica didn't come home for several days.

At first, Emma asked about her every single day. But eventually, she stopped bringing it up. It was like she'd forgotten Jessica existed.

Then, on Emma's birthday, I took the day off so I could stay home and celebrate with her properly.

All the hospital visits and medications had worn my daughter down to skin and bones. Every time I looked at her, I couldn't help but cry.

Suddenly, there was noise at the front door. Emma's head shot up.

Jessica walked in carrying a birthday cake. She kicked off her heels without a second thought, didn't mention where she'd been, and just smiled.

"Emma, Mommy's here to celebrate your birthday."

Honestly, I didn't want Jessica anywhere near our daughter. But I knew what Emma wanted more than anything was her mother's attention. Sure enough, the moment Jessica walked in, some color actually returned to Emma's pale little face.

Jessica pulled a dress out of a gift bag. "I bought you a present, sweetie. Do you like it? Go on, try it on."

She tried to pull the dress over Emma's head. But Emma couldn't get her arms through the sleeves—they were covered in needle marks from all the IVs.

I stopped Jessica, my voice hard. "If it doesn't fit, don't force it. Can't you see you bought the wrong size?"

Jessica's smile vanished instantly. Her brows snapped together.

She slapped my hand away. "What's your problem, Ryan? I came all the way back to celebrate her birthday, and you're going to complain about the gift? Do you know how much this dress cost? Two hundred dollars. That's more than good enough for her."

She grabbed the dress again, determined to force it onto Emma. Emma was crying in pain.

I'd had enough. I shoved Jessica away. She had money to buy expensive dresses, but couldn't be bothered to pay for her own daughter's medical treatment.

In the struggle, Emma's wig fell off. Her bare, bald head was completely exposed.

Jessica stood up in a flash, pointed at both of us, and started screaming. "Are you two trying to drive me crazy? Is this some kind of act? Why would you shave your head—just to play the victim?"

Emma covered her head and sobbed loudly. I held her tight, gritting my teeth, and threw that too-small dress straight into the trash.

"Why did you even come back? You don't even know your own daughter's clothing size! Do you have any idea why she lost her hair? Have you ever once asked about her?"

Jessica crossed her arms over her chest, completely unmoved. "Oliver is still at home sick right now. I shouldn't have bothered coming back to celebrate Emma's birthday in the first place. All she knows how to do anymore is play the victim."

Emma's crying stopped abruptly. She looked up at Jessica, stunned.

A sharp ringtone cut through the silence. I didn't even have to guess—it was Mark. It never failed. Every time Jessica came home, he always found some excuse to call her back.

I don't know what he said on the other end, but Jessica turned to leave.

Emma reached out and grabbed the hem of her shirt, her voice trembling. "Mommy... you promised you'd stay for my birthday..."

Jessica yanked her hand away without a second thought. The cake on the table went flying. It hit the floor, the frosting splitting open—and that's when I saw the mango pieces inside.

Emma was deathly allergic to mango. She couldn't eat a single bite.

Any last shred of hope I had left died right there.

I let out a long, heavy sigh and picked up Emma. "If you walk out that door, don't bother coming back."

Jessica glanced back at me and let out a cold laugh. "I paid for half this house. I'll come and go as I please. Ryan, cut me some slack. Oliver's asthma is really bad right now. He can't be left alone."

She rushed out the words, then slammed the door behind her.

I stood there frozen for a long time. That's when I realized Emma's quiet sniffles had stopped completely.

I looked down. Her face was ghostly white. Blood was dripping from her nose.