Her Journey Alone: A Father’s Return After Years Brings Heartache

A man left his young daughter with his mother to build a new life with his wife. Upon returning after ten years, he discovers that both his mother and daughter are missing, with no clues to their whereabouts.

Doris Dakkar raised her son, Nicholas, as a single mother after her husband left when Nicholas was seven. Despite the challenges, Doris worked two jobs to provide for him. Now at sixty, Doris never imagined she would be raising a child alone again, nor did she expect Nicholas to abandon his own daughter like his father did to him.

Nicholas had married a wonderful woman named Sandra, but tragically, she died when their daughter, Paige, was nine years old. Soon after Sandra’s death, Nicholas began a relationship with Donna and married her within six months, which Doris, his mother, thought was a sign of loneliness.

However, Doris noticed a significant change in Paige, who had once been a happy and playful child but had become quiet and withdrawn. Doris attributed this behavior to Paige grieving her mother, but her faith in Nicholas’s character began to waver as time went on.

Selfish individuals often disregard the happiness of others.

During the summer of Paige’s tenth year, Nicholas asked Doris to care for Paige for three weeks while he and Donna vacationed in Alaska. “Every couple needs time alone, Mom,” he explained, adding that Paige had been difficult lately and didn’t like Donna.

Though surprised, Doris agreed, thinking a break might benefit everyone. However, she pointed out that Donna knew Nicholas had a daughter when they married and that as a grown woman, she should be able to manage a ten-year-old still coping with the loss of her mother and her father’s rapid remarriage.

Nicholas flushed with anger, shouting, “I should’ve known you’d take Paige’s side! Donna makes me happy, and that’s all that matters!”

Doris responded calmly, “I thought someone needed to support Paige, and I’m surprised it’s not her father. Making your daughter happy should make you happy, too!”

Nicholas stormed out, but when he returned a week later to drop off Paige, he appeared to be his usual self. He kissed Paige goodbye and hugged Doris, saying, “I’ll be back on August 27, Mom,” before driving off happily while waving.

August 27 came and went without Nicholas returning. Doris tried to call him, only to find his number had been disconnected. He hadn’t contacted Paige since he left, though he occasionally replied to her text messages.

It soon became clear that he had vanished. Doris discovered that the house Nicholas and Sandra had owned was sold, leaving him completely absent.

He had abandoned his daughter with his elderly mother, showing no concern for her well-being. Sitting down with Paige, Doris reassured her, saying, “We’ll be okay, you and I. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. I love you, and one day, your father will regret what he’s done.”

Ten years later, Nicholas returned to his mother’s house and was shocked to find it looking abandoned, with an overgrown garden and boarded-up windows.

Nicholas knocked on a neighbor’s door, and the woman appeared surprised to see him. She hesitated to provide Paige’s new address, glancing at his shabby clothes and rusty car.

“Paige is married now, and Doris lives with her. I wouldn’t expect a warm welcome after what you did,” she said coldly.

Nicholas didn’t reply and walked away, feeling confident that he could charm his mother.

Upon arriving at Paige’s new address, he was stunned to find a luxurious mansion. He rang the doorbell and told the maid, “I’m here to see Doris or Paige Dakkar.”

The maid corrected him, saying, “You mean Mrs. Dakkar or Mrs. Henderson,” before leading him to a grand sitting room.

A few minutes later, Paige entered, looking at him silently with no hint of surprise. Nicholas suspected the neighbor had warned them of his arrival.

“Paige, my baby,” he said, stepping forward to hug the beautiful young woman she had become.

“What do you want, father?” she asked calmly, without a trace of anger.

“I wanted to see you and Grandma Doris. I’ve missed you both so much,” Nicholas replied, forcing a smile.

Just then, Doris walked in, appearing calm and looking younger than her age. “Nicholas, why are you here?” she asked.

“I came to see my family,” he replied, raising his voice. “I was hoping for a warm welcome!”

“You abandoned me, father,” Paige said coldly. “Did you really expect a warm welcome?”

“It wasn’t my fault,” Nicholas whined. “Donna said she’d leave me if I didn’t go with her.”

Doris smirked. “But Donna’s not here now. Did she leave when the money ran out?”

Nicholas glanced around the room enviously. “You seem to be doing well. I’m unemployed and struggling. Can’t you help me out?”

“I’m surprised you’d ask for help after abandoning us,” Paige replied. “But for Grandma Doris’s sake, I’ll help.”