When she checked her bank account, reality hit hard: $15 to her name and a mountain of unpaid bills glaring at her from the kitchen counter. A wave of helplessness washed over her, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Taking a deep breath, she rose from bed, clinging to the faint hope that somehow, today, a miracle would find her.
Determined to make Adrian’s birthday special despite her meager resources, Brianna scoured her kitchen cupboards. She found an old box of cookies, carefully layered them on a plate, and spread frosting over the top to mimic a cake. Adding a small candle, she carried her creation to her children’s room.