When a mysterious package arrives at Kate and Josh’s home, they are confused to see that the sender is Josh’s estranged father. But things get even stranger when Josh finds a ticking box inside the gift — a beautiful pillow. A confrontation occurs, and Josh is left battling with the truth. Should he forgive his father, or act like their relationship is nonexistent?
Josh had just taken their daughter, Emily for a stroll around the garden when the doorbell rang, signaling that the day needed to begin.
A person holding a baby’s hands | Source: Unsplash
“I have a package for you,” the delivery man said as I opened the door.
I signed and carried the box into the kitchen. Our third wedding anniversary was this week, and Josh was always ordering things for me.
A person with a brown cardboard box | Source: Pexels
“I just want to surprise you, Kate,” he said one day while we were lounging on the couch. “It’s just the little things, you know?”
So, naturally, as I took the package to the kitchen, I just assumed that it was from him.
A couple on a couch | Source: Pexels
Until I took a pair of scissors and cut through the thick tape. Opening the package, I found a beautifully embroidered pillow, a note sticking out beneath it. It would have matched our living room décor perfectly.
Happy Anniversary, Josh and Kate! – Taylor.
A package with a pillow inside | Source: Midjourney
For a moment, I reveled in the kindness of the gesture. But then I remembered that there was no way possible that Josh would accept this gift.
“Hey, what’s this?” Josh said, coming back into the kitchen with Emily on his shoulders. “Did we order something?”
A man carrying his daughter | Source: Pexels
“Well, it’s a gift,” I said cautiously. “From your father.”
Josh pulled the note from me, his eyes flying across the paper.
I wondered what he was going to do. Josh and his father had a very complicated relationship. When Josh was a child, Taylor had abandoned him and his mother.
He had been seeing another woman, and when it finally came down to a choice, Taylor had chosen the other woman.
A mother and son | Source: Pexels
Josh had been seven, and he had never recovered from it. He told me all about it one evening when we went out for dinner.
“A father is supposed to choose you, Kate. But he went ahead and left us behind so that he could start a new life with his mistress. That’s not how this works.”
A couple having dinner | Source: Pexels
I understood his point of view. Of course, he had just wanted his father to be there for him and his mother.
Instead, Taylor had other ideas.
“He said that he needed to be happy, and that my mother was too strict with him. He had a job, but he was always doing illegal things on the side. So he packed up his things and left.”
A man with packed bags | Source: Pexels
“What do you mean?” I asked, shocked that Josh had been exposed to something like that at such a young age.
“Money, swindling it. Gambling, all that,” my husband said as he picked up his glass of whiskey.
And that was it. Josh didn’t speak to him again until a year before we got married.
Taylor had heard about our upcoming wedding through other relatives, and he thought it was the perfect opportunity to try and make things right between them.
A person holding a phone | Source: Unsplash
But Josh refused.
“I don’t want him around us on our special day, Kate. It’s not going to benefit anyone. And if anything, seeing him will spoil everything for me.”
“And you don’t think you’d regret it?” I asked as I folded wedding invitations into envelopes.
“Not at all,” Josh replied, picking up an envelope. “For all we know, someone will come and crash the ceremony because he owes them money.”
A wedding invitation | Source: Pexels
And that was that. Topic closed.
I didn’t want to push it. I knew it was up to him to deal with it later if he regretted it. I would support him, but I wouldn’t want to overstep anything, especially because Taylor sounded like a lot to deal with.
A couple embracing | Source: Pexels
When Emily was born, Taylor tried to get into our good books one more time. He wanted to reach out and try to make things right with Josh so that he could have his role of being a grandfather.
“I don’t want him around us. I don’t want him around our child. Please, Kate, don’t fight me on this one. This man is bad news,” my husband said, carrying our baby.
A newborn baby’s feet | Source: Pexels
So that was it.
Which brings us back to the present.
Josh picked up the pillow and felt it up and down; he even put it to his ear, his eyes widening.
“Sweetheart, we can’t keep this pillow!” he said.
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
Without another word, he rushed over and threw it out the back door.
“Josh, what’s going on?” I exclaimed, leaving Emily in her high seat with fruit slices.
“It’s ticking, Kate! There’s something inside. He’s up to something.”
A person cutting fruit | Source: Pexels
“Ticking?” I said. “What do you mean?”
We both went outside.
We stood over the pillow lying innocently among our garden flowers. I hesitated, then reached down to listen.
Sure enough, there was a soft ticking sound.
Yellow garden flowers | Source: Pexels
“Oh,” I said, shocked. I had been convinced that Josh had been hearing things that weren’t there.
Why would Taylor want to hurt us in any way?
“Take out your phone and video this entire thing,” Josh said as he bent to pick up the pillow. “Just in case something happens or there’s something illegal in there.”
A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels
With a deep breath, Josh tore the pillow open to reveal a small, mysterious box equipped with a timer.
“What the hell is that?” I murmured, dread creeping up my spine.
“Let’s find out,” Josh’s jaw was set. “Call him.”
I dialed Taylor’s number, my hands trembling.
A man holding a box | Source: Unsplash
“Hi, Kate,” he said, his voice cheery. “Did you get my package? I didn’t know what to get you, but I knew that I had to get something.”
“There’s something inside the pillow,” Josh said. “A box. It’s making a sound. What is it?”
“Please be honest,” I said.
“It’s a gift, Kate. For your anniversary,” Taylor’s voice was calm, almost soothing to me.
A woman on the phone | Source: Pexels
“The sound is probably the timer; it’s supposed to make a sound and open on the day,” he said. “There’s something in there.”
My husband snatched the phone from my hand.
“Do you really think we want anything from you? What’s really in the box, Dad? Is there something that shouldn’t be there? Something illegal?” Josh demanded.
An angry man on the phone | Source: Pexels
“Please, Josh,” he said. “It’s just a gesture. I mean absolutely no harm.”
“If you truly mean that, then stay out of our lives.”
“Wait, Kate,” Taylor said. “Just open the box, okay?”
Taylor sighed deeply, and Josh reached out and cut the call.
I looked at my husband; he seemed confused by it all. I knew that he was curious about what was inside the little box, but he was traumatized by everything his father had done.
An expressionless man | Source: Pexels
“What do you want to do?” I asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said, holding his head.
“Let’s open it,” I said. “If he wanted me to open it, then there’s no way that he’s trying to hurt us, darling. Okay?”
Josh nodded slowly, finally accepting it for what it was. His father had simply wanted to reach out to us and give us a gift. That maybe everything was as easy as it seemed.
A man holding a phone | Source: Unsplash
“But record it, okay?” Josh said.
I picked up my phone again and began recording.
My husband pried the box open, revealing its contents: a check for $100,000.
Josh stared at the check, his emotions flying across his face as he tried to make sense.
“What is he playing at, Kate?” Josh asked, stunned. “There’s no way that this is clean money. He must be trying to cover up for something.”
But before we could process this further, Taylor called back.
An uncertain man | Source: Pexels
I answered, hesitant.
“We found the check,” I said. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I’m dying, Kate,” he confessed quietly. “I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, and I know that Josh hates me. But that money is for you guys. And if Josh doesn’t want it, then keep it for Emily’s future. For school. Nobody needs to know that it came from me.”
A bank cheque | Source: Flickr
I walked inside the house, realizing that we had left Emily alone for too long. Not that it mattered, because our daughter was sitting quietly by herself and eating her fruit.
Josh was right behind me.
“Dad,” he said, taking the phone from me. “If you’re really serious about your health, then please, we need to talk. No more games.”
A man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
“Thank you, Josh,” Taylor’s voice came through the phone. “You tell me when.”
We arranged to meet Taylor at a park later that week; it wasn’t far from us, and we often took Emily there.
As the day arrived, Josh was visibly nervous, fidgeting as we waited on a secluded bench.
When Taylor arrived, he looked frail and worn.
A secluded park bench | Source: Pexels
“I’m so sorry for everything. I was a terrible father. I don’t have much time left, but I want to spend it making amends.”
Josh took a long breath.
“It’s not easy, Dad. But I’m willing to try. For Emily’s sake, so that one day, she’ll know that her grandfather carried her through school.”
A smiling little girl | Source: Pexels
While Josh and my father-in-law spoke, I set up the picnic that I had brought along with me. I figured that if anything awkward happened, we all still needed to eat.
As we left the park, Josh squeezed my hand, a weight lifted from his shoulders.
“Maybe it’s good that pillow showed up, after all,” he mused, a small smile breaking through.
Things could only get better from here, right?
A picnic setup | Source: Pexels
What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one
Leighton, after witnessing how her parents celebrated their anniversary, is sure about one thing — when she gets married, she will do just that. But when her anniversary rolls around, her husband skips their romantic dinner and lies about a meeting.
A newlywed couple at the beach | Source: Pexels
Curiosity prevails, and Leighton follows Josh, only to find him at a motel with the first person he ever loved. Is there a hidden truth, or is the story exactly what it looks like?
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
“You’re too old to dress like a 20-year-old,” an online user stated about Cher’s revealing outfits in her 70s.
Cher’s journey from the unknown to establishing her distinct place as a multitalented icon is nothing short of exciting. In addition to redefining music and ruling the world of music for nearly six decades, she has challenged the norms and expectations, building a persona unlike any other.
From being fun and full of surprises to exuberating boldness and brilliance—Cher’s journey to success has been both unconventional and exceptional. Moreover, she has used fashion as a form of self-expression, unapologetically conveying her somewhat complex personal style.
Despite her age, the “After All” singer’s revealing style has remained unchanged. Her choice of seemingly inappropriate outfits has kept her in the spotlight for years. At the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, she rocked a body-baring, heart-shaped pasties outfit made from beaded threads.
Cher topped her look with a platinum wig, looking snug and happy in her bold beaded dress. Interestingly, everyone adored her style, and she also bagged the Icon Award, which later gave her a chance to share an emotional acceptance speech.
While reflecting on her journey in the music arena for over 50 years at the time, Cher echoed what her mom told her when she was a young girl:
“You’re not going to be the smartest, you’re not going to be the prettiest, you’re not going to be the most talented, but you’re going to be special.’”
Taking the conversation further, the “If I Could Turn Back Time” star noted how her style statement throughout her career had been unique, despite being dubbed outrageous, distinct, and against the rule books.
To anyone wondering how she pulled off such a revealing dress for her age, the then-71-year-old responded, “I can do a five-minute plank.”
Despite going strong in her 70s, Cher has received immense criticism for her looks. In 2019, a user called the songstress “too old to dress like a [20-year-old].”
In 2014, a second user slammed her for looking ugly in her purple dress, saying she needed to wear something longer. “Cher looks like an ugly Ozzy,” commented another user.
She has reportedly been dubbed as the poster girl for cosmetic procedures.
Besides being criticized, the “Moonstruck” alum has also received supportive comments from fans. “THIS is cher! she looks her age, beautiful and happy. there’s nothing wrong with looking like you’ve lived [sic],” stated one user on Twitter.
When Cher posted her mother’s picture on social media in June 2022, many drew similarities between the two women. She is beautiful. She is beautiful at her age now!” wrote a fan. Another netizen commended the pop star, adding, “Looks beautiful for any age and she is already doing her job fabulously.”
For Cher, the world of glitz and glam has also pressured her to remain young and relevant in her field. She has reportedly been dubbed as the poster girl for cosmetic procedures.
When asked if she normalized the trend, the singer immediately pointed out how she had seen girls as young as 18 want to change their appearance. She said she didn’t comprehend why people held her responsible for something which had been trending for a long time.
“If you’re no good at what you do, people don’t care what you look like,” answered Cher when asked if cosmetic treatments had prolonged her career. She noted how people didn’t pay money to look at someone and attached much more importance to someone’s performance.
Despite admitting to feeling exhausted and drained, the “Burlesque” alum said her voice had never been better. She also stated how she had worked diligently to build her body strength, adding that even 20-year-old girls couldn’t do what she did.
While commenting on an American tabloid newspaper constantly suggesting she was on the brink of death, Cher appeared shocked and confused. During her response to the somewhat queer question, she said she was unsure why they thought she was dying when she had never felt that way.
Cher is also excellent at monitoring her diet and is a fan of healthy eating except for her love for chocolate. She also credits working out and exercising to her gorgeous appearance and agelessness.
So, how does the “All or Nothing” singer maintain her lovely figure while adding more years to her life? She once shared how she works twice as hard and loves being in the gym as much as possible. Cher said she was a tomboy in her youth and loved playing sports.
Owing to her sporty attitude, Cher also learned to surf and said she loved embarking on adventures. The Oscar-winning diva has a few simple beauty tips which have helped her remain an elegant beauty over the years.
Her secrets to staying fit, active, healthy, and of course, ageless include saying no to drinking, smoking, and drugs. In addition to understanding the importance of mindful eating and adopting a vegetarian diet, Cher confessed she rarely drank and never did drugs.
Cher once rated Cruise among her top five lovers, and the duo’s relationship amassed immense popularity back in the day, despite the “Jerry Maguire” actor being 16 years her junior.
The “Baby Don’t Go” star explained how she had always considered drinking and drugs unhealthy. While she admitted to smoking cigarettes for some time, she quickly bounced back and steered clear of anything that contradicted her taste.
Being the superstar she is, Cher’s health continues to worry her fans from time to time, mainly in the wake of her advancing age. In 2021, she had to cancel some of her concerts after contracting a mysterious illness.
Heeding her doctor’s advice, Cher, then 75, took some time to rest and recover and kept her loyal fan base updated about her health through regular social media updates.
Known for entertaining the audience, staying relevant, and serving style goals despite her age, the Emmy-winning star was shattered to cancel some of her shows. During her “Dressed To Kill” tour, she was said to have fallen ill with a severe virus affecting her kidneys and voice box.
At the time, Cher had to cancel her mega show’s second half because she appeared too unwell to perform. However, despite her health scares, she has managed to stay fit and healthy, determined to keep her fans entertained with her mesmerizing performances.
Cher’s age has never deterred her from chasing her dreams. In addition to reveling in continued success and fame, she had had an exciting love life. In November 2022, the “Love and Understanding” singer went public with her relationship to Alexander “AE” Edwards, 40 years her junior.
When photos of the hot duo circulated on social media, many fans warned Cher about her then-boyfriend’s past. But sources reported that the Grammy-winning musician was unswayed by the online chatter, and she couldn’t care less about the skepticism surrounding her relationship.
Despite the undue media and public scrutiny, Cher seemed to enjoy the attention, reportedly adding that she and her then-beau shared something extraordinary, making her feel sexy and full of life.
The same source shared that Cher had always had a thing for younger men, and her relationship with Edwards was no different than her previous connections. But what made it stand out from the “Bang Bang” star’s prior romances was how it made her feel and her confidence to take it public.
In December 2022, Cher posted a picture of her pear-shaped diamond ring on Twitter, triggering the romance rumor mill. The “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” alum wrote how she wished her late mom, Georgia Holt, could witness her happiness and gorgeous ring.
She mentioned how her mother loved diamonds and would have been ecstatic to share her daughter’s happiness. Later, Cher said she had posted the ring’s photo because she wished to flaunt her then-boyfriend’s fabulous nails.
The pop star’s romance with Edwards isn’t the only one that gained widespread media attention. In the past, she’s dated Hollywood A-listers, including Richie Sambora, Elvis Presley, Tom Cruise, and several others.
Cher once rated Cruise among her top five lovers, and the duo’s relationship amassed immense popularity back in the day, despite the “Jerry Maguire” actor being 16 years her junior.
She has been married twice: she wed Sonny Bono in 1964, and they divorced in 1975. They share a son, Chaz Bono. Unfortunately, Sonny died in 1998. Later, in 1975, she tied the knot with Gregg Allman, but the duo divorced three years later. Allman passed away in 2017, and the duo share a son, Elijah.
Despite the rumors that Cher and Edwards were engaged, sources close to the couple confirmed that they had gone their separate ways after just six months of dating. It was also revealed that the pair were never engaged, and Cher’s ring was merely a gift from her ex-lover.
Regardless, the duo was said to be incredibly close, and Edwards’ son loved spending time at Cher’s Malibu residence. Their romance and brief relationship were believed to be real and special, and despite their decision to call it quits, they were said to be on friendly terms.
Although Cher has been slammed off and on for her revealing style, she continues to exuberate class and confidence while showing off her slim figure, proving that age is just a number!
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