“Hmm?”

Polly asked as she tilted her head to the side and looked at her father. He was staring at her with concerned eyes. She hesitated. Didn’t he want to scold her?

“I… I am fine,” Polly said, smiling as she looked over at her mom, who now wore a gentle grin.

“Your father says no scolding today. Happy birthday, baby.”

The words hit her like a sudden shower.

Her eyes widened from surprise to shock as they moved from her mother to her father and back again, her heart ...