As the laughter echoed through the room, my heart sank like a stone. My boys, Colin and Daniel, stood there, tears streaming down their faces, their innocent joy shattered by the cruel prank played by my own sister.

“Enough!” I shouted, my voice trembling with anger and disbelief. “What on earth were you thinking?”

My sister’s laughter faltered, replaced by a look of confusion and embarrassment. “I… I thought it would be funny,” she stammered, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.

“Funny?” I seethed, my fists clenched at my sides. “This is not funny! You’ve ruined their birthday!”

Colin and Daniel clung to each other, their tiny shoulders shaking with sobs. My heart ached as I looked at them, their innocent faces twisted with hurt and betrayal.

“I’m sorry,” my sister mumbled, her laughter now replaced by remorse. “I didn’t mean to upset them. I just thought…”

But her words fell on deaf ears as I ushered her out of the room, my mind reeling with anger and disappointment. How could she have been so thoughtless, so callous, as to ruin such a special day for my boys?

As I knelt down beside Colin and Daniel, wrapping them in a tight embrace, I vowed to make things right. No matter what it took, I would ensure that the rest of their birthday was filled with love, laughter, and the joy they deserved. And as we wiped away each other’s tears, I knew that our bond as a family was stronger than any prank or disappointment could ever be.