Alice always looked forward to her mom’s birthday dinner the food, the laughter, the warm glow of candles. But this year, something felt wrong. Her Grandpa Ted, once the heart of every celebration, was missing.
When Alice asked about him, her mother’s face darkened, and her sharp reply silenced the table. The memory of a bitter fight months ago came rushing back: shouting, tears, Grandpa walking away and never coming back.
