The morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, spilling soft gold across Cynthia’s room. She blinked awake, her head heavy from a night of restless thoughts.For a few quiet seconds, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, replaying yesterday’s argument in her head. The anger was still there sharp, quiet, and unspoken.When she finally came downstairs, her parents were already at the dining table, their laughter mixing with the smell of toast and coffee.“Good morning, sweetheart,” her mother said brightly. “You’re up early.”Cynthia sank into her chair. “I didn’t sleep much.”“Well,” her father said, folding his newspaper, “that’s understandable. You’ve had quite a week. But we have some exciting things to discuss today.”She looked up, wary. “What things?”Her mother exchanged a smile with him, then turned toward her. “Your eighteenth birthday, of course! It’s only a few weeks away. We need to start making preparations.”Cynthia froze. “Preparations?”“Yes,” her father said.
Last Updated : 2025-10-20 Read more