The Surrogate He Discarded

On Isobel’s first birthday, Richard woke long before sunrise. The orphanage was still wrapped in silence, its halls dark except for the faint glow filtering through the windows.

Quietly, he slipped outside with an old wooden wheelbarrow and wandered along the road, gathering every wildflower he could find.

Tiny white baby’s breath, bright yellow dandelions, delicate purple blooms, and sprays of pink clover soon filled the cart. He picked so many that the wheelbarrow overflowed, petals spilling onto the dusty path behind him. He imagined Isobel’s smile when she saw them and couldn’t help smiling himself.

By the time he returned, the first rays of the morning sun were climbing over the eastern hills, bathing the orphanage in warm golden light.

The day had already begun.

Richard joined the older children in preparing for the celebration. Some swept the yard while others wiped years of wear from the sturdy wooden tables and chairs. Together, they carefully arranged everything beneath the shade of the old trees in the front yard.

There was laughter in the air, mixed with the scent of fresh earth and flowers.

The birthday party was planned for lunchtime. In the orphanage, having party in the afternoon was a luxury.

At first, it was meant to be a modest celebration. Mama Rena had somehow managed to save enough for a simple feast—crispy fried chicken, sweet spaghetti, and a small birthday cake with a single oversized candle standing proudly in the center. It wasn’t extravagant, but to the children, it was more than enough.

Then, barely an hour before lunch, the unexpected happened.

The rumble of a delivery truck echoed through the quiet road before it rolled to a stop in front of the orphanage.

The children rushed toward the gate, their eyes wide with excitement.

One by one, the workers unloaded neatly packed meals and arranged them across a long table in the yard. There were far more than anyone had expected. Beside them, on a separate table, they carefully placed an enormous rectangular birthday cake.

It was beautifully decorated with Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast, dressed in her shimmering golden gown. Swirls of yellow frosting framed the edges, while delicate sugar roses bloomed in every corner. It looked far too beautiful to cut.

The children gasped in amazement.

Then there were the loot bags arranged beautifully beside the cake.

Richard stood quietly, trying to understand what he was seeing.

”Who paid for all this?” he finally asked.

Mama Rena smiled, though she looked just as surprised.

”The donor wished to remain anonymous,” she said. ”But I heard the order came through a gift shop in town.”

”A gift shop?” Richard repeated softly.

In an instant, the image of the kind elderly woman who shown him unexpected generosity the day before came rushing back to him. Her gentle smile, her warm eyes, and the quiet kindness she had offered when she had no reason to help him.

A smile spread across Richard’s face.

It must have been Grandma Sharon.

He looked around at the joyful children, the overflowing tables, and little Isobel reaching excitedly toward her beautiful cake.

One day, he silently promised himself, I will find her... and I will repay her kindness.

...

Richard did no longer wrapped the pink bunny in paper. Instead, he tied a bright red ribbon neatly around its neck, making it look even more charming.

”Brother Richard?”

As he stepped out of the boys’ dormitory, he was met by Selene’s hopeful eyes.

”Is that for me?” she asked eagerly. ”Tomorrow is my birthday, but we’re celebrating today.”

Richard stopped in his tracks.

He had forgotten.

It wasn’t just Isobel’s birthday. The orphanage celebrated all the children whose birthdays fell within the same month. Including Isobel, there were ten birthday celebrants.

”I’m sorry,” Richard said gently. ”This is for Isobel.”

Selene’s smile faded into a pout. Her eyes glistened with tears.

”I didn’t know it was your birthday too,” Richard added. ”I’ll get you something tomorrow. Your birthday is still tomorrow, after all.”

”Can I have the same big pink bunny?” she asked, her voice filled with hope.

Richard shook his head apologetically.

”I only have a few coins left. But I’ll buy you lots of candy... and I’ll pick the prettiest flowers I can find.”

Selene’s lower lip trembled.

”But I want the pink bunny.” She pointed at it. ”You can give it to Isobel today, then give it to me tomorrow. She’s only one year old. She won’t know.”

”No.”

The answer came so quickly and firmly that Selene flinched.

”N-No?” she whispered.

”No,” Richard repeated, holding the bunny a little closer. ”This is Isobel’s gift.”

Selene burst into tears.

”Richard!”

Edward appeared from the corridor, his face clouded with disapproval.

”Why are you bullying Selene?”

”I did not.”

”Then why is she crying?”

”She wanted Isobel’s birthday gift. I told her no.” Richard shrugged. ”She’s crying because she didn’t get what she wanted.”

Selene’s sobs only grew louder.

Richard sighed. He didn’t have time to argue. Clutching the bunny, he walked away and headed toward the nursery, leaving Edward to comfort the little girl.

Inside, the nursery buzzed with quiet excitement.

The caregivers were helping the babies get ready for the celebration.

And there was Isobel.

She was wearing a soft yellow princess dress that had been donated by a rich family years ago. It had been worn by countless little babies before her, yet it had been so carefully treasured that it still looked almost new.

A matching yellow headband, adorned with a cheerful sunflower, rested atop her wisps of dark hair.

When she saw Richard standing in the doorway, her tiny face lit up.

She stretched out both arms toward him, fingers opening and closing impatiently, her bright eyes sparkling with recognition.

”Da Da!”

Richard felt his heart tighten.

She looked like a little ray of sunshine.

Without thinking, he smiled back and walked toward her, the pink bunny hidden behind his back.

He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face.