Only four words written across the top in black marker.
“Happy Birthday, Brothers.”
My entire body went cold.
“Who is it?” Watson called from the kitchen.
“No one.”
I picked up the box.
It felt light, though something shifted inside when I moved it.
Watson stepped into the hallway and read the message.
“Maybe one of the boys ordered something.”
“No,” I said. “I’m taking it to our room. I don’t want them opening some cruel joke in front of everyone.”
His expression changed immediately.
He understood what those words had done to me.
I carried the box into our bedroom, closed the door, and sat on the edge of the bed.
For nearly a minute, I simply stared at it.
Then I lifted the lid.
A folded note lay on top.
“Dawn,
Please don’t show this to anyone until you finish reading.
Don’t trust Grandma.”
