The Birthday at the Gate

On his eighth birthday, Leo Ward is left at the gate of the children's home he thought he had left forever. His adoptive mother throws down his clothes and tells him never to call her Mom again. Leo still holds the cake he made to share with the family—and a green notebook he picked up by mistake. Inside, a payment entry says Maple House has already been caring for him for six weeks. It hasn't. With a final donation review approaching and a new baby taking over the family's public story, the adults helping Leo must trace what the Wards promised, what they received, and why they suddenly need their son out of sight. Leo needs something simpler: a birthday that doesn't end with a packed bag.