She arrived at my son’s birthday party with my ex-husband… and gave him a broom

The party started normally. Children’s laughter filled the garden, parents chatted around the table, and Leo was glowing. Until the long-awaited moment: opening the presents. The children gathered around him, applauding each torn piece of wrapping paper.

Then Vanessa stepped forward, holding a long, narrow package wrapped in overly flashy silver paper. She handed it to Leo with a fixed, almost calculated smile.

“Go on, open it,” she said in a sweet voice… too sweet.

As soon as the paper fell away, I saw his expression change.
A wooden handle.
A broom.
A cheap, ordinary broom.

Silence fell abruptly.