Pamela was happy to brag about her daughter’s achievements to her friends. Her strict parenting seemed to pay off, and she decided to pay a surprise visit to her daughter’s college. But soon she found out her daughter hadn’t spent a single day there. What lay beneath the illusion of a perfect daughter?
It was a sunny day. The sky was a bright blue, and birds chirped happily as Pamela, a fifty-year-old woman with a warm smile and graying hair, got out of her car. She reached into the back seat and carefully took out a beautifully decorated cake.
The sweet aroma of cherries and vanilla wafted through the air. Holding the cake gently, she approached the house next door, her steps light and cheerful.
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Pamela knocked on the door, and it swung open almost immediately. Her friend Maggie stood there, beaming.
Maggie was a lively woman with curly brown hair and a welcoming demeanor. She wore a floral apron, suggesting she had been busy in the kitchen.
“Pamela! It’s so good to see you!” Maggie exclaimed, stepping forward to give her friend a warm hug.
“It’s great to see you too, Maggie. I brought a cake for us to enjoy,” Pamela said, holding up the cake.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have! But I’m so glad you did. Come in, come in,” Maggie replied, leading Pamela inside.
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The house was cozy and inviting. The living room was filled with soft, comfortable furniture, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. Maggie led Pamela to the dining table, where they set the cake down.
Maggie quickly fetched some tea, and soon, the two friends were sitting down, enjoying slices of the delicious cake and steaming cups of tea.
“This cake is amazing, Pamela. You’ve outdone yourself,” Maggie complimented, savoring a bite.
“Thank you, Maggie. I’m glad you like it,” Pamela responded, smiling.
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As they sipped their tea, Maggie quickly turned the conversation to her pride and joy, her son Simon.
“Did I tell you? Simon is doing so well at college. He’s the captain of the football team now,”
Maggie said, her eyes shining with pride. She reached over to the coffee table and picked up a photo of Simon in his sports uniform, grinning widely.
Pamela leaned in to look at the photo. “That’s wonderful, Maggie. He looks so happy,” she said genuinely.
“He is. He works so hard and deserves all the success,” Maggie said, setting the photo back down. “How’s Emily doing?”
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Pamela’s face lit up at the mention of her daughter. “Oh, Emily is doing great. She sends me praises and excellent test scores during our weekly calls. She’s really thriving in college,” Pamela shared. There was a note of pride in her voice.
“For Pamela, it was very important that her daughter be a top student. She wanted the best for her daughter—a stable future and independence. From a young age, Emily had daily tutors, sports sessions, music and art school.
Pamela personally made sure that Emily was the perfect daughter and always excelled at everything. She always had something to brag about to her friends.”
“She’s independent. She chose the college herself and got accepted. Though, it must be very hard for her to be so far from home at her age,” Pamela replied.
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“Isn’t her birthday coming up soon? You could bake one of your cakes and surprise her,” Maggie suggested.
“You’re right, Maggie. I think that’s exactly what I’ll do,” Pamela agreed.
“I’m sure she’ll love it. Go for it, Pamela!” Maggie encouraged.
“Thank you, Maggie. I think I will,” Pamela said with a smile.
The friends continued to chat and enjoy their tea and cake. The afternoon passed quickly, filled with laughter and shared memories. Finally, the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow through the windows.
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“I should get going. Thank you for the lovely afternoon, Maggie,” Pamela said as she stood up to leave.
“Thank you for the cake and the wonderful company, Pamela. Let’s do this again soon,” Maggie replied, hugging her friend goodbye.
The friends said their goodbyes, and Pamela drove home, feeling content and excited about surprising her daughter.
The drive back was peaceful, and Pamela’s mind buzzed with plans for Emily’s birthday. As she parked her car in her driveway, she couldn’t help but smile, eager to start preparing for the special day.
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At home, Pamela carefully looked through her recipe book to choose a cake recipe for her daughter.
Her kitchen was cozy, filled with the comforting scents of spices and fresh ingredients. She flipped through the pages, each one filled with memories of past baking adventures.
“Her favorite, cherry cake,” she thought, smiling as she closed the book. The decision brought back fond memories of Emily’s childhood when they would bake together, their laughter filling the kitchen.
With the cake decided, Pamela moved on to the next step. She sat down at her desk, opened her laptop, and booked tickets for Emily’s birthday.
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The excitement of planning the surprise made her heart race. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Emily’s face.
After confirming the flight details, she decided it was time to contact the college staff to find out exactly where Emily lived. She wanted everything to be perfect.
Pamela found the college administration’s phone number and took a deep breath before dialing. She waited patiently as the phone rang, tapping her fingers nervously on the desk. Finally, a young woman’s voice answered on the other end.
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“Hello, how can I help you?” the woman asked politely.
“Hi, my name is Pamela. I’m the mother of one of your students. I have a delicate question,” Pamela began, her voice steady but nervous.
“Of course, what exactly do you need?” the woman replied.
“My daughter’s birthday is coming up, and I want to surprise her with a visit. Can you tell me what room she lives in?” Pamela asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
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“That’s very sweet of you. Can I have your name and your daughter’s name, please?” the woman asked, her tone friendly.
“Pamela White, and my daughter is Emily White. You might know her; she’s very social,” Pamela said, feeling a bit more at ease.
“Emily White… One moment. You must be mistaken. We don’t have a student named Emily White,” the woman replied after a brief pause.
“That can’t be… She’s been studying there for almost a year!” Pamela exclaimed, her heart sinking.
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“No, she’s not on our list. Is there anything else I can help you with?” the woman asked sympathetically.
“It seems not…” Pamela hung up, shocked. She couldn’t believe her ears. Every week, Emily showed her grades and talked about how well she was doing.
For almost a year, Pamela had been sending money for her education. The disbelief and confusion swirled in her mind. She had to go and check everything in person.
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Pamela sat back in her chair, trying to process what she had just heard. The room felt suddenly colder, and her hands shook slightly.
She reached for her phone and typed a message to Emily, saying she would come to visit, but didn’t mention what she had found out. She wanted to learn the truth in person.
“Hi, Emily! I’ve decided to visit you for your birthday! Can’t wait to see you. Love, Mom,” she wrote, her fingers trembling as she hit send.
Pamela took a deep breath and started planning her trip, her mind racing with questions.
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Why had Emily lied? What was she really doing all this time? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she knew she had to stay strong. She needed to face this head-on and find out the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
When Pamela arrived in the city where Emily was supposed to be studying, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.
She scanned the bustling crowd at the airport until she spotted Emily and her boyfriend, Robin, waiting for her. Emily waved enthusiastically, and Pamela’s heart lifted a little at the sight of her daughter’s familiar face.
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“Mom!” Emily called out, rushing forward to hug her.
“Hi, sweetie,” Pamela said, hugging her tightly. “It’s so good to see you.”
Robin stepped forward with a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. White. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Robin,” Pamela replied, shaking his hand. They both seemed very friendly, and Pamela tried to push her doubts aside.
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As they walked to the car, Emily and Robin started sharing stories about how they met at college. “Remember the first day of classes?” Emily laughed. “Robin helped me find my classroom when I got lost.”
“Yeah, and you were so stressed out,” Robin added, chuckling. “But you’ve done so well since then.”
Pamela listened, smiling politely. “Let’s go to Robin’s place. We can sit and talk there,” Emily suggested as they reached the car.
“Why not the dormitory?” Pamela asked, trying to sound casual.
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“Mom, it’s so noisy there right now. We wouldn’t be able to talk. I’ll go back there after you leave,” Emily replied quickly.
Pamela nodded, playing along, though her curiosity was piqued. They got into the car, and as Robin drove, Emily kept chatting about college life, her classes, and her friends.
“I was so surprised you decided to visit. Did something happen?” Emily asked nervously, glancing at her mother.
“Your birthday is coming up, remember? I couldn’t forget my dear daughter’s special day,” Pamela answered, smiling.
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“Oh, right!” Emily said, her voice brightening. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
They chatted pleasantly on the way, with Pamela making mental notes of everything Emily said. She needed to wait for the right moment to ask about the college.
Finally, they arrived. Robin opened the door to his cozy apartment and ushered Pamela inside. The living room was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and comfortable furniture. Pamela noticed a few of Emily’s paintings hanging on the walls, adding a personal touch to the space.
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“This is a lovely place, Robin,” Pamela said, trying to keep her tone light.
“Thank you, Mrs. White. We like it here,” Robin replied with a smile.
Emily led her mother to the dining table, which was already set with plates, glasses, and silverware. “Let’s get dinner ready, Mom,” she said, pulling out a chair for Pamela.
As they ate, the conversation flowed easily at first. They talked about the flight, the city, and the delicious meal. But Pamela couldn’t keep her questions at bay any longer. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage.
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“Emily, I called the college before coming here,” Pamela began, trying to keep her voice steady. “They told me you aren’t a student there.”
Emily’s face paled. She looked down at her plate, avoiding her mother’s eyes. “I don’t understand what you mean, Mom. It must be a mistake,” she said weakly.
“Don’t lie to me, Emily! Tell me the truth,” Pamela demanded, her voice rising in frustration and hurt.
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Emily’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll confess everything,” she said, her voice trembling. She took a deep breath and continued, “I haven’t studied at the college for a single day. I forged the acceptance letter and have been living here with Robin.”
Pamela’s heart sank. “Why?! Do you want to ruin your future?” she asked, her voice filled with anger and confusion.
“I didn’t want to disappoint you, Mom. I know how important it is for you that I excel in everything. I was afraid you’d disown me if you found out the truth,” Emily sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
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“And you think lying is better? I’ve had enough. Pack your things; you’re coming home!” Pamela demanded, her frustration boiling over.
“Mom, please, it’s not that bad. I’ve started painting, and Robin is helping me a lot. Please, let me stay!” Emily pleaded, her eyes desperate.
“And let you ruin your life? No! I know what’s best for you. Pack your things now,” Pamela insisted firmly.
Emily began to cry harder, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Robin, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. He walked over to Pamela and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
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“I’m sorry we lied to you, Pamela, but please give Emily a chance to decide how to live her own life. You can’t control her forever, and you can’t protect her from life,” Robin said gently, his eyes sincere.
Pamela was taken aback by his words. She realized that she had been forcing her daughter to be perfect her whole life, not giving her room to make her own decisions.
She had always thought she was doing what was best for Emily, but now she saw that her actions were stifling her daughter’s growth.
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Pamela took a deep breath, her anger slowly melting away. “You’re right, Robin,” she said softly. “I’ve been too controlling. Emily, I’m so sorry. I just wanted the best for you.”
Emily looked up, her eyes red and puffy. “I know, Mom. I just need a chance to figure things out on my own,” she said, her voice still shaky.
Pamela nodded, tears filling her own eyes. “Alright. I’ll allow you to stay on one condition: if nothing works out in a year, you will go to college.”
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Emily’s face brightened with a hopeful smile. “Thank you, Mom. I promise I’ll do my best.”
For the first time in her life, Pamela felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She was letting go, trusting her daughter to make her own choices. It was the hardest thing she had ever done, but she knew it was necessary.
As they hugged, Pamela whispered, “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”
Emily hugged her mother tightly, grateful for the second chance. “I know, Mom. Thank you for understanding.”
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Pamela realized that sometimes, the best way to show love is to let go. Emily might make mistakes, but they would be her own, and Pamela would be there to support her every step of the way.
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