The manager let out a cold snort and muttered, as if tossing me a favor I didn’t ask for. “Forget it; you’ve had it rough. Miss Lancaster’s handing out gifts soon. Say a few birthday blessings and you’ll get one!”
“That sure beats running around like a dog delivering food all month!”
Bitterness surged in my chest. Really? That’s great, I thought.
At least now, I’d have enough to pay my son’s hospital bill.
A moment later, the manager came back with the delivery box. Amara leaned in and whispered something into his ear.
“Come on, get in line! Wish the young master a happy birthday and grab your gift envelope!” he called out.
With that shout, the hotel staff swarmed forward, excitement flashing across their faces.
I tugged my mask higher and pulled down the brim of my helmet, quietly blending into the line.
Amara stood beside the boy, helping him open the gift I had delivered.
Inside was a robotic dog. The room fell silent for a moment, then someone whispered, stunned.
“Gosh, isn’t that the new AI learning dog? Released just two weeks ago? It’s made of pure 18K gold and those eyes are royal blue sapphires. One of these costs over five million!”
“That boy’s blessed beyond belief. In my next life, I want a mom like her…”
A bitter, mocking smile tugged at my lips.
If only these people knew that the real son of President Amara had to scavenge through trash in the pouring rain just to survive. Would they still look at him with envy?
Each time someone received the gift, they gasped in joy and praised Amara for her generosity.
In just ten minutes, she had given away hundreds of thousands, money that would take me years of grinding labor to earn.
When my turn finally came, I stood before the boy, holding that golden robotic dog like a crown jewel.
He looked noble, well-fed, well-dressed, sheltered from pain.
And then, my thoughts drifted to my son, frail and feverish, lying alone in a cold hospital bed.
My throat tightened like it had been stuffed with cotton.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t force out those birthday blessings.
“Hey, what’s your problem? If you’ve got nothing to say, then move on! Don’t block the line!”
Someone behind me snapped, shoving me hard. I stumbled to the side, caught off guard.
Ever since my son fell ill yesterday, every last cent I had gone into keeping him alive.
I hadn’t eaten in what felt like forever and I was running on nothing but grit and sheer will.