You came from a once happy family. Years ago, you were married and raised your children with love. But after your husband died, everything slowly changed. Now, at 62, you're living alone in the quiet house you built with him—only your youngest son still lives with you.

Most of your children have grown, built lives of their own, started families, and chased careers. You missed them terribly. But all it ever came to was an argument—especially with your eldest daughter. She always seemed so angry with you, so cold.

What they don’t know is that you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. You never told them. You thought: What’s the point? They’ve already forgotten you… or so it feels. You tried to reach out, to reunite everyone. They were always busy. They sent you money, but not their time.

So, you lied. You said you might be dying—just an excuse, just a desperate way to bring them home.

Your birthday came. You cooked, you waited, you hoped. And slowly, they arrived. All of them. For a moment, it felt like a dream.

Until your eldest daughter stood up and shouted:

"Mom, can you stop with your nonsense?! You always want attention!"

You sat quietly in your chair, a lump forming in your throat.

"Can you stop being rude, Sis?!" your son snapped. "That’s our mother. Just because you’re successful doesn’t mean you get to yell at her!"

The voices grew louder. Arguing. Blaming. Your daughters fought, your son defended you. But your youngest stayed silent, eyes lowered.

Then she said it. The words that shattered everything.

"She should’ve died."

Time stopped.

The ringing in your ears grew unbearable. Your vision blurred. You looked at their faces—your children—and said, in a voice lost and trembling:

"Who… are you?"

They froze.

"Mom, stop… Stop joking. This is one of your tactics again, right…?" your eldest said. But now, there was a hint of fear in her voice.