She Spent Her Birthday Alone — Then a Cake Arrived With Five Words That Changed Everything

No One Shows Up to Old Woman’s Birthday Except a Courier with a Cake That Reads, ‘We Know What You Did’ – Story of the Day

Dorothy nervously waited for her family, who never showed up, while she painstakingly made dinner and cake. When the doorbell did ring, however, she discovered a courier carrying a cake and the heartbreaking words, “We Know What You Did.” Her long-forgotten history had come back to haunt her.
With her shoes whispering softly on the aged wooden floor, Dorothy walked gently across the small but comfortable kitchen.

She took a moment to adjust the bulky spectacles that slid down her nose.

She carefully stroked the calendar’s edges, which were curled from months of use, close to the refrigerator.

Her eyes focused as she meticulously counted each square until her finger came to the date, which was brightly underlined in happy red ink and read, “My Birthday.”

Like the beautiful morning sunlight slipping through her curtains, Dorothy felt a pleasant warmth spreading in her chest.
Whether she celebrated her birthday alone or in silence, it always gave her hope.

Putting aside her concerns, she turned to face the stove and busied herself making preparations.

The constant slicing of fresh vegetables, the soft sizzling of meat in the pan, and the calming boiling of pots on the stove soon filled the kitchen with familiar noises.

She created foods that used to make her kids happy while moving about her kitchen as though she were dancing gently to music that only she could hear.
With a silent hope burning within her, she meticulously arranged each meal she prepared on the table, seemingly laying the groundwork for a fantastic evening.

At last, she gently placed the pie she had prepared earlier on the counter and reached for it.

With a butter knife in hand, Dorothy applied icing in meticulous strokes, envisioning Miley and Ryan sampling it and giggling as they always did.

When she was done, she set the dish in the middle of the table with pride.

Dorothy slid slowly into her chair, exhausted, the day’s burden pressing down on her bones.
She extended her hand and carefully lifted an antique framed picture that was lying close by.

The photo captured her at a lake, grinning widely while clinging to Miley, 15, and Ryan, 8, whose faces were beaming with joy and sunshine.

However, Dorothy’s grin gradually dimmed. Using her finger to trace the ripped border of the photograph, she once more saw the blank space next to her.

Once, someone had stood there with their face brutally and furiously ripped away, leaving behind nothing but blank whiteness.
She was reminded of a melancholy she had attempted to ignore by the eerie emptiness that stared back at her.

Dorothy felt a heavy sensation crushing on her heart once more, and her eyes darkened with pain.

The portrait was delicately returned on the table, and she felt the thick, old blanket of memories gently enveloping her.

The evening came gradually, with shadows moving silently across the walls of Dorothy’s tiny house.

Using her finest dishes and setting candles in the middle, she had meticulously prepared the table.

The room felt cozy, hopeful, and strangely peaceful as their gentle radiance flickered.
Dorothy’s thin, little body shook slightly with excitement as she stood by the entrance door.
She continued to watch the clock, taking in each slow tick. Her heart pounded uneasily.

She had been looking forward to seeing Miley and Ryan again for weeks, intending to give them the same tight embrace she had given them as kids.

Slowly, the minutes stretched into hours. The house was still quiet, weighed down by emptiness.

Dorothy crept over to the window, pushed the curtain back just enough, and peered nervously into the pitch-black driveway.

However, there was no movement, no approaching car lights, and no reassuring sound of approaching footfall.
Her chest constricted with worry. She inhaled deeply before picking up her phone and dialing Miley’s number with trembling fingers.

No response. Her pulse pounded with every missed call as she hurriedly attempted Ryan’s number.

“Why aren’t they here?” A chilly terror started to coil inside Dorothy as she muttered to herself. “Has something occurred? Are they all right?

The doorbell’s piercing ring abruptly broke the stillness. With her heart pounding with relief, Dorothy leaped, certain that her children had finally come. She rushed to the door, expectant and smiling.
But as soon as she opened it, her optimistic look vanished. Neither Ryan nor Miley did it. Rather, a young messenger with a tidy white package stood clumsily in front of her.

With care, he held out the box and said, “Miss Dorothy?” “This was ordered especially for you.”

Dorothy accepted the box, feeling let down and perplexed. She whispered, “Who sent it?”

The messenger said softly, “I’m sorry, ma’am, I don’t have that information,” and disappeared back into the gloomy darkness.

Dorothy carefully brought the box to the table and slowly shut the door. Her hands shaking a little, she lifted the lid and put it down carefully. Milie’s daughters lived at the address.
There was a lovely cake inside, delicately adorned with white frosting.

Dorothy felt warmth return for a moment, wondering if her children had sent it unexpectedly.

However, the warmth was immediately replaced by a chilly horror as she read the meticulously written message across the top.

Her eyes welled up with tears, and her hands trembled uncontrollably.

“We Know What You Did.”

Old anxieties came flooding back to haunt Dorothy, causing her breath to catch in her throat and her heart to pound terribly.

Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears as she hurried to Miley’s house.
Her fingers shaking, she hurried from the car door to Miley’s front porch, her breathing labored.

She rapped frantically on the door and yelled into the still night, “Miley! Are you home, Miley? Please respond to me!

Holding her breath, she waited for the slightest sound coming from within. However, there was nothing but quiet, which only deepened her anxiety.

Dorothy approached the window and nervously peered inside the dark home while keeping her face near to the glass.

Her eyes were fooled into thinking there could be someone there by the subtle movements of the shadows.
“Miley?” she muttered again, just loud enough for anyone to hear, hoping that somehow it might pierce the silent void.

She jumped when she heard a quiet but worried voice behind her. “Dorothy? Is that you?

She turned abruptly, astonished to discover Miley’s neighbor Sharon standing in her doorway, closely observing her.

With interest and concern in her gaze, Sharon pulled her sweater close over her body and stepped onto her porch.

“Sharon!” Dorothy spoke rapidly, her fear mingling with relief.
“I’m trying to find Miley. I’m really concerned because she isn’t picking up her phone. Have you had a chance to see her?

Sharon gave a deep, contemplative nod.

I did, in fact, run into Miley and Ryan this morning. They loaded their belongings into the car and left early. Dorothy, they appeared to be quite serious about something.

Dorothy took a step forward, her voice trembling. “Did they mention their destination?”

Sharon hesitated, attempting to recall.

They made reference to visiting the lake from their early years. I clearly heard Miley say it.
Dorothy experienced a horrible twisting sensation in her chest. Fear filled her veins, causing her breath to catch. “The lake,” she said in a low voice, almost scared to speak.
Dorothy’s thoughts was filled with images of cheerful summer afternoons filled with smiles, laughter, and picnics.

However, those pleasant recollections soon became gloomy and changed into something else—heavy and painful.

Her heart ached as memories she had made an effort to ignore rushed back.

“Thank you, Sharon!” Dorothy called quickly over her shoulder as she hurried back to her car without saying further word.

Dorothy’s hands trembled as she turned the key and climbed behind the wheel. The engine sprang to life with a roar.
As she sped toward the lake in the fervent hope that it wasn’t already too late, her mind was racing faster than the vehicle.

When Dorothy got to the lake, she parked next to Miley’s. Her ears were overwhelmed with the sound of her heartbeat.

The lake was glowing a gentle orange as the sun slowly sank.

Among the tall trees, shadows danced softly, and every rustling leaf reminded her of the memories she had worked so hard to forget.

She noticed the ancient gazebo by the water’s edge, standing by itself. It appeared to be sturdy despite years of exposure to sun, wind, and rain, and it held secrets Dorothy prayed she could forget.

Her breathing was rapid and shallow, and each step she took toward it felt heavier.

Dorothy stepped into the gazebo and paused. She almost choked as her breath caught in her chest.
Robert was seated peacefully at the ancient wooden table. His face had deeper creases, and his hair had become gray. His weary eyes softened into a melancholy smile as he gently raised his head.

Robert answered, “Hello, Dorothy,” in a quiet but remorseful tone. “It’s been a long time.”

Anger sprang sharply in Dorothy’s breast, mingled with bewilderment and incredulity. She could hardly talk as her voice trembled. “What are you doing here, Robert?”

The weight of his remorse was evident in his movements as he gazed down. “I got a call from the kids. They required clarification.

Dorothy felt a horrible twist in her heart. She was indignant and felt deceived. “How dare you come back after all these years?” Emotions leaking out, her voice broke.
The stillness was broken before Robert could answer by a firm, piercing voice behind Dorothy. “We deserve the truth, Mom.”

Dorothy’s heart broke when she turned around and saw Miley and Ryan standing there. Their eyes were angry and confused, their faces harsh.

Ryan was the first to speak, his tone acrid. “You misled us. You said that Dad vanished, but that was untrue. We were just taken away by you. You prevented us from having a dad.

Dorothy’s eyes began to well up with tears, and she shook her head frantically. “It’s not what you believe! I was keeping you safe—”
“Stop lying!” With tears in her eyes and a strong voice, Miley yelled. “Excuses are no longer acceptable to us. Simply go!”

Dorothy was weak from the pain that tore through her like a knife. Robert, however, hurried to his feet before she could move, his voice loud enough to shatter the tension.

“Stop!” Robert gave a firm instruction. “Your mother’s birthday is today. She is worthy of better.

With a frustrated tone in his voice, Ryan turned to face Robert.

“Don’t you see, Dad? You lost us to her! Your disappearance was a fabrication by her! She was the reason we lost our father.

Robert’s speech trailed off into agony as his eyes grew sad. He responded, “No, Ryan,” with a heavy voice.
“Your mother did not tell lies. I was the one.
Miley gazed, shocked and wide-eyed. “What do you mean, Dad?”

Robert’s shoulders dropped in embarrassment, and he trembled as he looked at the floor.

“I abandoned you all. I felt afraid. We accumulated debt, and I was unable to handle the problems. I believed that everything would improve with freedom. Dorothy pleaded with me to remain. Together, she thought we could overcome anything. But I didn’t listen because I was weak.

He stopped and drew a long, trembling breath.
“I wanted to get out without hurting anyone, so I packed my belongings discreetly one morning. Dorothy, however, awoke. She didn’t argue when she saw me go.
He let out a breath.

“With tears in her eyes, she simply stood there and said that if it was what I really wanted, she would back my decision. She didn’t want you to know that I had abandoned you. She kept you from realizing how weak and self-centered your father was.

The ensuing thick silence seemed to go on forever. Miley’s expression softened as tears welled up in her eyes.

Heartbroken, she whimpered, “Oh, Dad…”
Robert glanced up, tears silently streaming down his cheeks. “Every single day since then, I’ve regretted that decision deeply.”

Miley and Ryan silently gazed at Dorothy, their eyes filled with guilt and compassion. Dorothy moved forward gradually and embraced them firmly.
“We can’t change the past,” Dorothy said softly. And the future is beyond our control. Now is all we have. Let’s move on and forgive one another.

With tears running down her cheeks, Miley slowly withdrew. “Mom, we’re so sorry we doubted you.”

Ryan gave a serious nod. “Can you forgive us?”
Dorothy grinned broadly as her heart at last relaxed. “Always, my loves.”

Robert silently observed, his eyes full with want. Dorothy turned to him softly. “Perhaps we can all find room for one another once more, Robert, if you’re really ready. Carefully and slowly.

Robert nodded appreciatively, his eyes gleaming with fresh optimism. “Thank you, Dorothy.”
The old gazebo seemed to breathe better as twilight crept in around them, its weathered wood resonating with the murmurs of second chances.

This birthday had been both sad and lovely for Dorothy; it was a gift wrapped in forgiveness and healing rather than paper, a family finally discovering how to love in spite of past hurts.

Share this story with your friends and let us know what you think. It could give them motivation and make their day.

Read this story if you liked this one: Annie’s big tattoo that read “Adopted Child” was intended to be a harmless April Fools’ joke. But Annie discovered that certain jokes reveal facts that alter your preconceived notions about oneself after her mother’s frightened response revealed a family secret. Go here to read the entire story.

This article was created by a professional writer and was inspired by anecdotes from our readers’ daily lives. Any similarity to real names or places is entirely accidental. All pictures are merely meant to serve as examples.