Hidden Frequencies
Part 1: The Unexpected Gift
Maya Walsh knew something was wrong the moment she saw the package on her front porch. It was beautifully wrapped in silver paper with a blue bow, far too elegant for the sender it claimed to be from—her ex-husband, Derek.
“What’s this?” she asked, eyeing the delivery person suspiciously as she signed for the package.
“Special delivery for Zoe Walsh,” the courier replied cheerfully. “From her father. Her birthday’s tomorrow, right?”
Maya nodded, her wariness deepening. Derek hadn’t remembered their daughter’s birthday in three years. The last time he’d sent a gift, it had been a week late and arrived in a crumpled Amazon box with the receipt still inside. This was different. This was calculated.
She carried the heavy package inside, setting it on the kitchen counter. Her daughter wouldn’t be home from school for another two hours, which gave Maya time to inspect this unexpected offering.
The card attached to the package read: “To my princess Zoe, on her 10th birthday. Sorry I can’t be there to celebrate. Love, Dad.”
Maya scoffed. Derek hadn’t been there for any of Zoe’s milestone moments since the divorce. His child support payments came sporadically, and his promised weekend visits had dwindled to brief video calls that left Zoe more disappointed than comforted.
Their separation three years ago had been unavoidable after Maya discovered Derek’s gambling addiction had emptied their savings account—twice. The divorce had been bitter, with Derek blaming Maya for not supporting him through his “difficult time.” The courts had seen differently, granting Maya full custody with generous visitation rights for Derek, rights he rarely exercised.
So why this elaborate gift now?