The Lies Behind Her Marriage
Every Birthday.
Celine dimmed the lights in the living room, her voice soft and trembling. She said, “Serena… this is something we made for you. Every year, every birthday.”
Sterling pressed play on the TV monitor.
The screen brightened, and a much younger version of Celine appeared, her eyes swollen from crying, yet trying to smile.
“Serena… It’s your first birthday without us,” she said, her voice cracking. “Wherever you are, baby… please be safe. Mommy loves you.”