When a mysterious package arrived at Kate and Josh’s home, they were stunned to discover it came from Josh’s estranged father, Taylor. But the surprise deepened when Josh noticed a ticking sound coming from the beautifully embroidered pillow inside. As the tension mounted, Josh found himself facing a tough choice: should he reconcile with his father or keep their painful past buried?
Josh had just returned from a walk in the garden with their daughter, Emily, when the doorbell rang, marking the beginning of an unforgettable day.
“I’ve got a delivery for you,” the man at the door said as I signed for the package.
I brought the box into the kitchen. With our third wedding anniversary around the corner, I figured this was one of Josh’s usual surprises.
“I just love spoiling you, Kate,” he’d say with a grin, always finding little ways to show his love.
But when I opened the box, I wasn’t prepared for what I found—a delicate, hand-stitched pillow with a note tucked beneath it.
Happy Anniversary, Josh and Kate! – Taylor.
My breath caught. Josh’s father had walked out on him when he was just seven years old, choosing his mistress over his family. The betrayal had left deep scars, and Josh had refused to let Taylor back into his life, despite several attempts from his father to reconnect.
Josh entered the kitchen with Emily on his shoulders, his expression shifting as soon as I told him who the gift was from.
“What’s this?” he asked, taking the note from my hand.
Before I could respond, Josh grabbed the pillow, inspecting it closely. His face went pale. “We can’t keep this!”
Without hesitation, he rushed to the backyard and threw the pillow into the grass.
“What’s wrong, Josh?” I followed him outside.
“There’s something inside it, Kate. It’s ticking!”
Sure enough, when I bent down to listen, a faint ticking sound echoed from the pillow.
Josh quickly pulled out his phone. “Record this. We need proof.”
With my phone capturing the moment, Josh ripped the pillow open, revealing a small box with a timer attached.
“What is this?” I whispered, bewildered.
Josh’s face hardened as he handed me the phone. “Call him.”
My hands trembled as I dialed Taylor’s number. When he answered, his voice was cheerful. “Did you get my gift?”
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