Abby’s world turns upside down when her husband disappears without a trace, leaving behind a mysterious note. A few days later, a phone call from her mother reveals a shocking secret that shakes Abby to her core. Where is Matthew?
„Matthew? This isn’t funny. Where are you?” I yelled, hoping to hear his voice from another room. But the house was silent, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator.
My heart started beating faster when I saw a note on the kitchen table.
It said, „Don’t look for me.”
I stared at the note, hoping it was a bad joke. Matthew loved to joke around, but this was different. I picked up the phone and called his number, but it went straight to voicemail.
„Matthew, please call me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. „This isn’t funny.”
Then I called his mother. Hi, it’s Abby. Have you heard from Matthew?
„Nothing, honey,” Claire replied. „Is everything okay?”
„Yeah, well… that’s probably it. Sorry, I think he just went out for a bit.” I hung up and called his best friend, James.
„No, Abby, we haven’t heard from him,” James said, as worried as I was.
Matthew never came back.
The kids kept asking, „Where’s Dad?”
I didn’t know how to answer. Finally, I went to the police, the note firmly in my hand.
„Given the note he left, we can’t initiate a search warrant,” the policewoman said.
„But he’s gone!” I protested, a lump in my throat. „What if something happened to him?”
The police officer shook his head. Unfortunately, adults have the right to disappear if they want. There’s nothing we can do.
I left the station feeling helpless and alone.
I returned to our cozy country house, now filled with a disturbing emptiness. I gathered the children in the living room.
“Kids, I have something to tell you,” I began, my voice shaky. “Dad… he left a while ago.”
“Why, Mom?” my youngest son asked.
“I don’t know, honey,” I replied, hugging her. “But we have to be strong, okay?”
The next few days were filled with tears and unanswered questions.
Every corner of the house reminded me of Matthew.
His favorite mug was on the kitchen counter, his shoes were by the door, and his jacket still hung in the closet.
I tried to keep everyday life normal for the children, but it was difficult. Every time they asked for Dad, my heart broke a little more.
And then, one day, my mother-in-law called.
“If you want to know the truth, promise me you won’t tell Matthew anything,” she said during a FaceTime call, breaking the silence in the room.
Promise? What’s this about? I asked, a growing knot in my stomach.
“Matthew is here. At my house. With his mistress and his newborn son,” she began.
I was shocked.
“Matthew asked me to keep this a secret from you, Abby,” she continued. “His mistress had nowhere else to go, so he brought her here. He plans to use the money in their joint account to buy them an apartment. He said he plans to get a divorce and keep her. She’s… she’s barely 19.”
I felt like the ground was cracking beneath my feet.
Tears stung my eyes as I tried to comprehend what she had just said.
“He… who is he?” I whispered.
“I’m sorry I lied about where I was and didn’t tell the truth sooner,” she continued. I didn’t know what to do. He’s my son… But you’re also my family and the mother of my grandchildren. That’s why I’m telling you now. You still have time, Abby. You can contact a lawyer and protect your money for the children’s sake.
I was shaking. A storm of anger, betrayal, and sadness washed over me.
„I can’t believe this,” I said, my voice cracking. „Thank you for telling me. I have to protect my children and myself.”
After the conversation, I sat silently, stunned by the reality. Matthew, the man I had loved and trusted, had planned to leave us for another woman.