"Emma,happy birthday."
"Wow,thank you,Uncle Daniel!"
I pushed the door slightly open and saw Daniel holding a birthday cake,letting Emma blow out the candles.

Claire smiled."Daniel,thank you—not just for saving Emma,but for celebrating her birthday with her."
Daniel grinned."No need to thank me.As long as Emma's happy,that's enough."
My heart felt it was sliced open and had a handful of glass shards shoved in,the pain was unbearable.
Daniel,do you know today is also Lily's birthday—your own daughter's?
That evening,I'd cooked a feast and bought a cake,waiting for Daniel to come home to celebrate with Lily.
But he didn't show.I called,and he said he was working late,that birthdays happen every year and skipping one didn't matter.

Lily was upset.Daniel hadn't been home in days,always claiming he was working.Knowing he was a doctor,I didn't push.
But Lily missed her dad so much,she snuck out while I wasn't looking.
She fell right outside our door.
On the way to the hospital,I called Daniel again and again,but he never answered.

My fingers clenched,nails digging into my palms.
Lily died during operation.
And her beloved daddy was celebrating another girl's birthday.
How ironic.How ridiculous.
Claire asked,"By the way,how's Lily doing?"
Daniel's face twisted with irritation."What could be wrong with her?Rachel's just using the kid to get my attention.If she keeps this up,she'll ruin that child."
Claire said softly,"Don't say that about Rachel.She'll be upset."
Daniel snorted."I'm only telling the truth.She has no reason to be upset.If she were half as gentle and caring as you,I wouldn't be so annoyed,let alone avoid her."
I gave a bitter smile.
So he hated me,didn't want to see me.
No wonder he used work as an excuse to stay away every day.
I pulled out my phone.
Lily died still longing for her dad,so I swallowed my grief and called Daniel,wanting him to see her one last time.
"Lily's dead,you—"
Before I could finish,Daniel cut me off sharply."Cursing our daughter?Rachel,you go too far this time."
He hung up.
I laughed through my tears.
He thought I was lying.
Inside,Daniel wiped cake from the corner of Emma's mouth with a tissue.
"No rush,eat slowly.If you love cake,I'll buy many,many more for you later."
Hearing that,anger consumed me.
Lily loved cake too,but Daniel wouldn’t allow her to eat more than a bite,saying she was fat.
Lily overheard him and felt so insecure,crying under her blanket at night.
I comforted her."Lily,you're not fat.You're healthy.Daddy didn't mean it."
I didn't understand.Lily's height and weight were perfectly normal,yet Daniel criticized her.
Emma,though,was heavier—same height as Lily but weighed nearly ten pounds more.
As Emma ate,she said,"My birthday wish is for Uncle Daniel to always be with me,to be my daddy!"
Daniel laughed,delighted.
Be Emma's daddy?
I clenched my fists.