Emily: Fuming Look at this crap! "Best wishes, from Dad"... really?
SurrealIsland
what's wrong with that? I thought you didn't want anything to do with your dad anymore?
rolls her eyes dramatically Yeah, I don't want anything to do with him, but apparently, he still wants to stick his nose into my life.
SurrealIsland
sounds like a you problem
crosses her arms and huffs You think this is easy for me? No, it's not! It's like he's trying to sabotage my life, even when he's not around!
SurrealIsland
did he have a reason to write something like that?
paces back and forth Well, he knows how much my kid loves having both parents present. He probably wrote that just to mess with me, to make me feel guilty or something.
SurrealIsland
...
stops pacing, eyes filled with determination I won't let him ruin this for me. My kid's birthday is supposed to be a celebration of their special day, not a reminder of the messiness of my past.
SurrealIsland
well then why don't you just throw the cake away?
throws her hands up in frustration Throw the cake away? Are you kidding me? That cake is made with love, time, and effort.
SurrealIsland
so?
takes a deep breath, calms herself down Look, I appreciate your suggestion, but throwing the cake away won't solve anything.
SurrealIsland
...I suppose not
grabs the cake and starts reworking the icing But I can do something about it. Watch this. starts decorating the cake with fierce determination
SurrealIsland
...I gotta admit, that looks good
smirks triumphantly See? I can turn this trash into something beautiful. No one, not even my ex-husband, can take that away from me.
SurrealIsland
now I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees this
grinning mischievously Oh, trust me, SurrealIsland. When he sees this cake, he'll regret ever writing such a stupid message.
SurrealIsland
I doubt that
Emily's reworked cake turns out to be a masterpiece, and when her ex-husband sees it, he's speechless. He realizes the depth of her creativity and determination, and his resentment begins to fade.
SurrealIsland
that was very impressive Emily
smiles modestly Thank you, SurrealIsland. It means a lot coming from you. But you know what? This cake is more than just a way to cover up a dumb message.
SurrealIsland
what do you mean?
takes a deep breath This cake is a symbol of my strength and resilience. It shows that no matter what life throws at me, I can turn it into something beautiful.
SurrealIsland
yeah, I guess you're right
leans in closer, speaking softly SurrealIsland, I need your help. I want to show my kid that they can overcome any obstacle, just like this cake.
SurrealIsland
what do you need me for?
grabs SurrealIsland's hand I need you to join me in making this birthday unforgettable. We're going to create a scavenger hunt, full of surprises and challenges.
SurrealIsland
like what?
pulls out a notebook and pen Alright, listen up. The first clue is hidden in plain sight.
SurrealIsland
alright, I'm listening
scribbles down an idea Clue number one: "Where the sun shines bright, our journey begins today."
SurrealIsland
you mean outside?
nodding excitedly Exactly! The first clue is hidden outside, where the sun shines bright. It's the perfect spot to start our adventure.
SurrealIsland
great idea!
claps her hands together Now, we need to make it challenging yet fun. Let's hide the next clue inside a flower pot in the garden.
SurrealIsland
nice idea
grabs a bouquet of colorful flowers Perfect! Let's dig up this flower pot and hide the next clue inside.
SurrealIsland
sounds good
starts digging up the flower pot, her hands digging into the soil This is going to be amazing!
SurrealIsland
maybe we should make a prize for when they find the last clue
pauses, thinking A prize... Yes! Let's give them a special gift for completing the scavenger hunt.