And then, as if fate had heard my silent prayers, the window creaked open. A tiny figure appeared—Timmy. His small hands pressed against the glass, his eager eyes searching, and when he found me, his lips moved, forming a single word.

“Grandma.”

My breath hitched. I raised my hand to wave, but before I could, the front door swung open.

Olivia. My daughter-in-law. Her sharp eyes scanned me, her lips pressing into a thin, disapproving line.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice devoid of warmth.

I lifted the small wrapped toy in my hands. “I just wanted to bring Timmy something. It’s his birthday.”

She barely glanced at the gift before crossing her arms. “We’ve discussed this before, Mrs. Roberts. Timmy doesn’t need unnecessary excitement.”

Unnecessary excitement. That’s what she called a visit from his grandmother.

“I am his grandmother. A toy from me isn’t going to harm him.”

Her expression didn’t change. “This is John’s decision. We agreed that some distance would be best.”

And just like that, she shut the door in my face.

I stood there for a long moment, trying to steady my breathing, trying to swallow the bitterness creeping up my throat. Then, just as I bent to place the gift on the doorstep, something brushed my shoulder.

A flicker of white tumbled through the air.

A tiny, crumpled paper airplane.

I caught it just before it hit the ground, my hands shaking as I unfolded it. The handwriting was small, uneven, and unmistakably Timmy’s.

Grandma, I want to see you. Mom says you’re bad, but I don’t believe her. I know her secret. I’ll hide it in the dinosaur book. Love, Timmy.

A chill ran down my spine. My eyes darted up to the window, but Timmy was gone.

Later that evening, I sat in my kitchen, staring at the note, tracing the creases with my thumb. My best friend, Mary, stirred her tea, watching me with concern.

“This could be a setup,” she finally said, her voice cautious. “She threw you out, and now suddenly the kid wants to reveal some grand mystery? It sounds too convenient.”

“Timmy doesn’t lie,” I whispered, gripping the note tighter.

Mary sighed, setting her cup down. “You really don’t know why John cut you off, do you?”

“He said he was disappointed in me,” I admitted. “He claims the money I used to buy my house was meant for Timmy’s education. But we never discussed that. It was my savings. And suddenly, John told me I betrayed him.”

Mary frowned. “That doesn’t add up. There’s something missing.”

The missing piece. I had felt it all along. And now, it was time to find it.

For the next few days, I visited the library—the one Timmy and I always went to. He loved dinosaurs. That’s where I searched, combing through every page of the well-worn books in the children’s section.

And then, I found it.

A small folded note, tucked between the pages of The Great Dinosaur Encyclopedia.

I heard Mom talking about the money you borrowed from Dad. Maybe if you give it back, we can see each other again. Grandma, I know you’re good. I miss you. Timmy.

The world tilted. My hands shook as I quickly wrote my response, tucked it into the book, and walked away.

A few days later, I waited at the mall, heart pounding, scanning the crowd. And then I saw them.

John walked beside Timmy, his face drawn with confusion. Timmy spotted me first, his eyes lighting up. He hesitated, glancing up at his father for permission, then ran to me.

“Granny! I did everything you asked me in the secret note!”

John’s gaze followed his son’s, and when he saw me, his expression darkened. He came to a slow stop, his jaw tightening.

“Mom? What are you doing here? What note are you both talking about?”

I took a deep breath. “I know about the money.”

John stiffened. “So, you’re finally admitting it?”

Before I could answer, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Oh, and you’re here too.”

Olivia.

She approached, a false smile plastered on her face, a pink cloud of cotton candy in one hand.

“I had a feeling Timmy wasn’t telling the full story when he begged his dad to come alone,” she said, her voice too casual.

I ignored her. My focus was on my son. “John, did you ever check where that money actually went?”

His brow furrowed. “You said you needed it for treatment. I wouldn’t have asked for it back if that was true. But Dr. Collins has never treated you for anything serious.”

My breath hitched. “What? John, I never took your money. And I never had any health problems.”

John’s gaze snapped to Olivia. “Did you give Mom the money? That day, I was swamped with work, so I gave you the cash to pass to her.”

For the first time, Olivia faltered. “I… well, yes,” she stammered. “I mean, I handled it, like you asked.”

Timmy, ever so innocent, tugged at his backpack. “Mom, maybe you changed the money for these papers and then forgot.”

And with that, he pulled out a thick stack of receipts.

John snatched them, his face growing paler by the second. “Jewelry stores? High-end boutiques? Vintage collectors’ shops?” He looked up at Olivia, his voice rising. “These aren’t small purchases—Olivia, these are thousands of dollars!”

She inhaled sharply. “I… I thought I could replace the money before you noticed!”

I stepped forward, my voice steady. “You faked a voicemail, Olivia. You recorded my voice and made it sound like I was asking for help.”

John’s face twisted in pain. “You lied to me. You made me believe my own mother betrayed me. You kept Timmy from her—just to cover your tracks?”

Olivia swallowed. “John, I… I was scared you’d find out and hate me.”

He shook his head. “I don’t hate you, Olivia. But you need help.”

Timmy shifted closer to me, gripping my hand. “Dad,” he said hesitantly, “can I stay with Grandma for a little while?”

John sighed. “Yeah, buddy. I think that’s a great idea.”

He turned back to me. “I’ll bring his things later, Mom. We’ll have dinner together.”

I nodded, tears threatening to spill. “I’d love that.”

As John led Olivia away, Timmy tugged my sleeve. “Grandma, can we get ice cream now?”

I smiled, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Of course, sweetheart. Anything you want.”

And finally, after six months of waiting, I had him back.