The room watched as he approached me, holding a wrapped box.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," he said, just loud enough for everyone to hear. "I got you something."
He held out a small box wrapped in shiny paper. With trembling fingers, I lifted the lid. A scream escaped me as I dropped the box, its contents spilling across the patio. A dead rat tumbled out, followed by a thick red liquid that splashed across my clothes.
"Oops," Theo giggled. "I thought you'd like a new pet since your camera's broken."
The crowd gasped as the blood-like substance soaked through my white dress.
"Theo!" Caleb said halfheartedly. "That's not appropriate."
But Selena was already laughing. "Boys will be boys," she said, ruffling Theo's hair proudly.
Margaret quickly moved the focus back to the celebration. "Let's make a wish, Theo!"
The entire room watched as Theo closed his eyes.
"I wish Aunt Selena would stay with us forever," he said loudly. Then he leaned closer to the flame. "And I wish wolves like Emma would die a painful death, just like this rat."
I stood in the hallway, rat blood dripping down my dress as everyone returned to their conversations like nothing had happened.
Just as I was about to escape upstairs, Caleb walked over with his face tight with anger.
"Do you have to make a scene at every gathering? Can't you just clean yourself up and join everyone like a normal person?"
He was mad that I'd gotten blood on the imported carpet. Caleb's house was always perfect—hardly anyone could keep it as spotless as I did, which is why I'd even taken home management classes to learn proper cleaning techniques.
Back then, Theo used to follow me around and smile, "Aunt Emma, you make our house so pretty. I want you to stay with us forever."
But somewhere along the way, everything changed. Now, all he wanted was for me to disappear.
Suddenly, thunder cracked outside and rain poured down without warning. The sound echoed through the house, making everyone pause their conversations.
I looked up at Caleb and spoke quietly, "I need to go change. I can't stay in these clothes."
He sneered. "You think anyone cares? You wanted attention so bad, why don't you just stay here?"
"Caleb, who are you talking to?" a woman's voice called sweetly from behind us.
Selena walked over in her designer dress and wrapped her arms around Caleb's shoulders like they belonged together.