When I opened the door, what met my eyes were rows and rows of family portraits.
For the past five years, on every wedding anniversary, a photographer and makeup artist would come to our home to take family portraits.
Every time, Sharon would stand to my left, look at me with deep affection and say,
“Dean, no matter what happens, I’ll always love you!”
My daughter Willow would stand on my right, holding me tightly and saying,
“Daddy, no matter what happens, I’ll always love you too!”
In the past, just looking at those photos made me feel happy.
But now, I only felt sick.
Just as I was retching in front of the photos, I heard familiar footsteps behind me.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
Willow came rushing over and hugged me tightly.
Hearing her, Sharon quickly followed and gently rubbed my back.
“Dean, are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital?”
At that moment, the concern in their eyes looked so real.
But I could no longer feel a trace of warmth…
Without a word, I quietly moved my body away from them and spoke coldly:
“It’s nothing. Just a little stomach discomfort.”
Mother and daughter looked like they were facing a crisis and hurried to prepare a special stomach-friendly meal.