“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Claire smiled.
“Forget it. Tonight is about us.”
Daniel nodded.
Then the music started.
They danced.
Everyone applauded.
And just before midnight, Daniel and Claire received their wedding gifts.
Most were predictable.
Crystal glasses.
Luxury kitchen appliances.
Expensive decorations.
Envelopes containing money.
Then a hotel employee approached Daniel.
“Mr. Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“This was delivered for you.”
He handed him a small wooden box.
Daniel stared at it.
There was no name on the outside.
Only one sentence.
Written in black ink:
For the man who forgot what he left behind.
Daniel’s face went pale.
Claire noticed.
“What is that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Open it.”
Daniel hesitated.
Then he lifted the clasp.
Inside was an envelope.
He opened it.
There was only one photograph.
Daniel stared at it.
His hands began trembling.
The photograph showed him standing in front of our house eighteen years earlier.
He was holding baby Ethan.
I was standing beside him, pregnant with our second child.
On the back of the photograph were six words:
You promised you’d never leave us.
Daniel looked around the room.
His breathing became heavier.
Claire took the photograph from his hand.
Her smile disappeared.
“Where did this come from?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?”
This time, it was Ethan.
“Congratulations, Dad.”
Daniel froze.
“How did you get this number?”
“You left it behind.”
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
Ethan’s voice was calm.
“Because you gave Mom nothing when you left.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I thought I’d give you something you’ll never forget.”
“What?”
