{"id":21707,"date":"2025-11-28T21:01:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T21:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=21707"},"modified":"2025-11-28T21:01:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T21:01:46","slug":"21707","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=21707","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Instead, my dad looked up from the couch, eyes already narrowed, and said, \u201cDon\u2019t cause drama. Just leave it and go.\u201d<\/p>\n

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No hello. No Merry Christmas. Just that.<\/p>\n

The words hit me with a familiarity that made my stomach twist. I paused in the doorway, the cold still clinging to my coat, the cake box in my hands starting to feel heavier by the second.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a cake,\u201d I said quietly. My voice sounded small even to me. \u201cI thought I\u2019d bring something.\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t answer. He just turned back to the TV, remote in hand, pretending I\u2019d already become background noise.<\/p>\n

Mom came in from the kitchen a moment later, wiping her hands on a dish towel. She glanced at the cake like it was an inconvenience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Instead, my dad looked up from the couch, eyes already narrowed, and said, \u201cDon\u2019t cause drama. Just leave it and go.\u201d No hello. No Merry Christmas. Just that. The words hit me with a familiarity that made my stomach twist. I paused in the doorway, the cold still clinging to my coat, the cake box…<\/p>\n

Read More “”<\/span> »<\/a><\/p>\n

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