Deadly Father's Day

Lost in thought, I made my way to the Parker family's old house.

The place was buzzing with joy.

On the dining table in the foyer sat a massive ten-tiered cake, proudly displaying the message "Happy 10th birthday, Alex."

The Parkers were all there, laughing and chatting away.

James and Olivia were in the thick of it, all smiles and relaxed, looking every bit the perfect couple.

The Parkers have always had a soft spot for Olivia.

In their eyes, she's the ideal Mrs. Parker.

To them, I'm just the nanny who looks after Alex, too meek to stand up for myself. Even their dog barks at me.

I walked in, keeping my face blank.

As soon as I entered the foyer, I caught Mrs. Parker beaming at James, "Ah, James, I heard Alex just topped the Math Olympiad. He's sharper than you were at his age. He's definitely going places. The Parker line is in good hands!"

James replied coolly, "Well, he's my son. Of course, he's going to be a standout."

Mrs. Parker nodded, her face lighting up with relief, "Absolutely, the future of our family is bright with Alex."

Olivia chimed in with a smile, "Alex is just wonderful, isn't he? Smart, likable—everyone adores him."

James's sister, Megan, couldn't resist a tease, "Since you're so fond of Alex, why not just step in as his mom?"

That crack got the whole room laughing, as if they'd forgotten Alex even had a mother.

When I walked into the foyer, the laughter died instantly.

The warm chatter turned to icy stares all directed at me.

"Emma, where's Alex?" James demanded, his tone icy, noticing I was alone.

I met his gaze sharply, "Do you even care about your own son anymore?"

James's look darkened, and he retorted, a bit heated, "What's that supposed to mean? Sure, I'm swamped and can't spend much time with Alex, but that doesn't mean my love for him has waned. I'm James Parker, a renowned surgeon capable of miracles. He should be proud, knowing his dad can handle any crisis."

"Right, the great miracle worker, scared of nothing. I almost forgot—you keep those 'miracle hands' reserved for Olivia's dog, huh?"

The thought of James prioritizing Olivia's dog over our son wrenched my heart.

The Parkers stared as if they'd seen a ghost, unable to believe that I, always so compliant, had dared to confront James publicly.

James, annoyed, snapped, "Is this still about missing Father's Day? How long are you going to hold onto that?"

Olivia seized the chance, "Emma, your pettiness and jealousy are showing. It's one thing to have a meltdown at James, but on Alex's birthday? You knew we were all here for him, and yet you chose today to make a scene by hiding him. That's hardly what I'd call motherly."

Her words turned the room against me, drawing glares of disdain.

Especially from Mrs. Parker, who was fuming, "James, a woman who can forget her child's birthday doesn't deserve to be a mother. Bring Alex here to live, and keep him away from such negligence. I won't have my grandson suffer under her care!"

Megan also glared at me, "You knew today was special for Alex, yet Olivia went out of her way to make him birthday cookies. She acts more like his mother than you ever have!"

I've toiled for years for Alex, sacrificing everything unconditionally, but for the Parkers, none of it compared to Olivia's simple act of making cookies.

They actually thought Olivia, who indirectly caused Alex's death, was a better mother to him than I am.

How cruel and tragic is that?

I laughed, tears streaming down my face.

"Done throwing your fit?"

James was furious, "My mom has always been ready to step in for Alex. I let him stay with you because he was attached to you. But this? Is this how you've been caring for him? Alex is the center of my world, not a pawn in your jealous schemes. A woman who can so easily forget her son's birthday and shirk her responsibilities is no mother at all."

"Today is Alex's tenth birthday. It doesn't matter if you came or not, but as my son, the birthday boy, he needs to be here. Now bring him over!"

My laughter faded as I stared at James with red, tearful eyes, "I did bring Alex."

James looked around puzzled, "Where is he?"

The rest of the family started searching, looking around for Alex.

Old Mrs. Parker even stood up, squinting around, "Where's my precious grandson?"

I pulled the urn from my bag and set it down on the table with a thud.

"He's right here."