His Party, Her Tears

Evelyn’s POV

I checked the time for the tenth time.

6:45 PM.

Liam should’ve been back by now. The school closes by 4:00, and the driver always brings him

home before 5:00. I had called the driver earlier, but he didn’t pick up. Maybe he was just busy.

Or maybe… maybe something was wrong?

I had spent the whole day in the kitchen. My hands were sore, my dress had oil stains, and my

hair smelled of onions and chicken, but I didn’t care. I wanted to do something special. For my

son. For Liam.

Today was his birthday

And even if he hadn’t smiled much at me that morning, even if he had whispered to Jason that I

was embarrassing, I still wanted to make him feel loved.

Because I was his mother.

Even if he no longer believed it.

I looked at the table I had decorated—blue balloons, a small chocolate cake, his favorite

mashed potatoes, and the gift I’d wrapped with trembling hands. A toy car just like the one he

wanted two years ago, before he started hating me.

Still… no one came.

My heart pounded. I grabbed my scarf and rushed out. I had to go to the school.

When I got there, two guards stood at the gate. One looked me up and down and smirked.

“Are you the maid?” he asked, eyes stopping at the scar on my cheek.

“No,” I replied, voice low. “I’m Liam’s—”

Before I could finish, the second guard interrupted. “Oh, you mean that cute little boy? His

parents already picked him up. A fine man and a beautiful woman. Slim, long hair, red lipstick.

They left more than an hour ago.”

My mouth stayed open.

My heart… it cracked.

I turned away without another word. My chest felt heavy. I could hear them laughing behind me.

“She’s too fat to be his mum. Did you see her face? That scar looks like someone scratched her

in her sleep!” one of them whispered.

Tears stung my eyes.

I walked fast, head down, afraid someone else would recognize me.

I didn’t want to cry in public, not again.

Not after last week’s PTA meeting.

Not after the way Jason and Ivy laughed with Liam like I never existed.

I thought of going home… but something pulled me toward Jason’s company. Maybe they had

gone there. Maybe I could pretend to be dropping something. Anything.

But as I passed a children’s play area on the way, I heard music.

Laughter. Clapping.

Balloons floated in the air. Tables were set. Kids wore party hats.

And then I saw it.

Jason.

Ivy.

Liam.

A big cake sat at the center of the table with “Happy Birthday, Prince Liam” written in gold. A

crowd of parents stood around, cheering.

Ivy wore a fitted red dress and held Liam’s hand. She kissed his forehead, and he giggled.

He giggled.

He hadn’t giggled at me in years.

He ran to Jason and showed him a toy. Jason lifted him and spun him in the air. Liam’s laughter

echoed.

And there I was… standing on the other side of the road.

Invisible.

Uninvited.

Unwanted.

I clutched the small gift still in my bag and stared at the blue balloons I'd bought earlier that day.

They were still tied around my wrist.

No one saw me.

No one ever did.

And maybe that was for the better. Maybe if they knew I was his real mother, they'd laugh even

more. Maybe Liam would cry in shame.

I walked away.

But my legs felt weak. My chest ached. My throat tightened.

I did not want to go home.

I walked by three streets until I saw a small bar, its lights blinking. I had never been there before.

I hated alcohol.

But tonight, I did not care.

I entered and sat in the darkest corner.

"Something strong," I told the bartender.

The first sip burned. The second numbed. By the third, I shook with silent sobs. I buried my face

in my arm and allowed the pain to wash through.

Why did my son hate me?

Why did Jason allow this to take place?

What did I do wrong?

I donated my kidney to him.

I took the fire for Liam.

I lost my beauty, my health, my marriage, and now… my child.

One more drink. Then another.

I don't know how long I sat there. The world spun. The lights blurred. My body leaned forward.

Someone touched my arm. I tried to stand, but my legs failed me.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" a stranger's voice asked.

I couldn't see his face. I could barely speak.

I think I said, "Take me anywhere that's not home…"

And everything went black.