Waiting in the shadows

Layrus' Birthday

The house had never felt this alive before. Bright balloons floated across the ceiling, ribbons hung along the walls, and the backyard garden had been transformed into a cheerful paradise filled with colours of blue, white, and gold. Laughter echoed throughout the room as family members moved around, carrying trays of food and drinks.

Layrus's first birthday had finally arrived. Maya stood near the decorated table, watching everything unfold with glowing excitement on her face. Her heart felt so full she could barely contain it.

Her baby boy was turning one. It felt impossible that an entire year had already passed since she first held him in her arms in that hospital in Sweden. A year of struggles, Love, survival, and now here they were.

Layrus sat happily in his small baby chair, dressed in a tiny blue suit that made everyone around him melt with affection. His little hands clapped excitedly whenever someone came close to him.

"He's going to be a heartbreaker," one of Maya's cousins joked.

"Just like his father," another relative added.

Maya laughed softly "Let him grow first before you start making predictions," she replied.

Across the garden, Alicia arrived carrying a beautifully wrapped box. She waved dramatically the moment she saw Maya.

"Birthday mama!" Alicia called out.

Maya walked over immediately and hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad you came early," Maya said.

"You asked me to," Alicia replied with a grin. "And I brought something special for the little king."

She placed the box on the gift table. Inside were carefully selected items for Layrus: a Handprint and Footprint Plaque, ceramic rattles, and a tiny decorative vase engraved with Layrus' name.

"So he can remember this moment forever," Alicia said proudly.

Maya's eyes softened. "That's beautiful."

Nearby, Damein moved through the garden carrying large trays of food from the kitchen. He had personally prepared most of the meals. The long buffet table overflowed with delicious dishes-roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, pasta salads, and a variety of pastries.

Guests complimented him constantly. "Damein, this food is incredible," one of Maya's office coworkers said.

"Thank you," Damein replied politely.

But while everyone enjoyed the celebration, his mind was elsewhere The file, He still hadn't found it And he needed it.

As guests continued to arrive, Maya's parents entered the garden,n carrying several gifts for their grandson.

Her mother rushed over to Layrus immediately. "Oh, my sweet boy!" She kissed his cheeks repeatedly while Layrus giggled happily.

Her father shook Damein's hand warmly. "Thank you for organising everything," he said.

"It's nothing," Damein replied calmly.

But inside, his thoughts were racing. Where did Maya hide the file?

As the party continued, Lucas arrived The moment Layrus saw him, the little boy began waving his arms excitedly.

Lucas smiled warmly and lifted him into his arms "Happy birthday, champ."

He handed Maya a small envelope Inside were shares registered in Layrus' name.

"A small start for his future," Lucas said quietly.

Maya stared at the documents in surprise "Lucas... this is too much."

"He's my son," Lucas replied simply "And he deserves everything."

The guests admired the gesture.

Meanwhile, Damein stepped forward with his own gifts He presented Layrus with a soft plush toy, a colourful activity rocker, and a small balance bike designed for toddlers. Everyone applauded the thoughtful presents.

Maya smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Damein."

He nodded politely. But his eyes briefly scanned the house He needed to find it before Sophie lost patience.

After a while, Damein quietly slipped away from the party. No one noticed. Inside the house, the cheerful noise of the celebration faded into distant echoes.

Damein began searching, First the living room Then the study He opened drawers. Checked cabinets.Looked through the shelves.

Nothing.

His frustration grew He moved upstairs, entering Maya's bedroom. searched the wardrobe, the bedside table. Even inside luggage bags.

Still nothing. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

Minutes passed. He searched almost every corner of the house.

The file was nowhere. Outside, the guests began gathering around the cake table. Someone called out loudly.

"Where's Damein? It's time to cut the cake!"

Inside the house, Damein glanced at his phone He had almost missed the moment.

His jaw tightened. He quickly sent a message" couldn't find it."

The reply came almost instantly. From Sophie. And she was furious Her anger burned through the screen But instead of arguing with him, Sophie suddenly stopped replying. She had already decided something. If Damein couldn't get the file... She would force Maya to bring it herself.

Immediately, Sophie typed a new message to Maya.

Outside in the garden, Maya stood beside Layrus as everyone gathered around the large birthday cake.

The cake was decorated with tiny blue stars and the number 1 shining proudly at the top. Everyone began singing.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Layrus clapped happily while Lucas held him steady.

Maya's phone vibrated in her hand..She glanced at the screen, A message from Sophie Her heart instantly tightened. She opened it. And the world around her suddenly went silent My gunmen are at the garden where your lovely son's birthday is being held.

Maya's blood turned cold Her hands began shaking She kept reading. One of them has a gun pointed at Layrus's head. She felt like the air had been ripped from her lungs. Her eyes slowly scanned the crowd Everyone looked normal. But somewhere among them... Someone was holding a gun.

The message continued.

If you want to save him, agree to meet me tomorrow morning. Hilltop cliff. 6 AM.

Maya's hands trembled violently now.

Come with the file. Tell no one, If you say anything... Layrus will be dead before you even reach the road.

The final line made her stomach drop. You will simply receive the news that the Thoreau family's only grandson was shot after his birthday party.

Maya's vision blurred. Her breathing became shallow. Her son. Someone had a gun on her baby She typed quickly. Okay.

Just one word. Her fingers felt numb.

She slowly lifted her eyes. Layrus sat happily in Lucas' arms, completely unaware of the danger surrounding him.

The guests finished singing. "Cut the cake!" someone shouted excitedly.

Lucas helped Layrus hold the small plastic knife as they sliced into the cake.

Everyone cheered.

But Maya stood frozen her heart was breaking silently inside her chest She looked around at her family. All of them were smiling. None of them knew that death was standing somewhere among them. Tears burned in Maya's eyes But she forced herself to smile. She couldn't ruin this moment. She clapped along with everyone else as the cake was served.

Inside, however, she had already made a decision Tomorrow morning... She would go to the cliff and face Sophie, even if it meant risking everything, because nothing mattered more than her son And she would end this nightmare herself.