Celia and Daniel had been married for seven years. However, as his business began to falter, Daniel become increasingly withdrawn, eventually vanishing one morning and leaving his wife and daughter to pick up the pieces. For seven years, my life with Daniel was a dream. We were soulmates, with our bond only growing stronger when our daughter, Abby, came into the world. Daniel was not just a husband, but a devoted father too. Our family felt whole, perfect. But then the tides changed,

Daniel started growing distant. His warmth and affection toward Abby and I were replaced by a cold silence. Concerned, I tried to reach out.”Honey, what’s going on?” I asked one evening as we were doing the dishes after dinner. “You’ve been so distant lately.” “It’s just … work, Celia,” he muttered, taking a swig of his beer. “Business is tough right now. I’ll figure it out.” I wanted to believe him, to support him through whatever was haunting him. But before I could find a way to get Daniel to open up to me, he was gone. One morning, as I was making breakfast for Abby before school,I found a note on the kitchen counter: I’m doing this for us. Remember that I love you. That was it. No explanations, no goodbyes. Daniel vanished, leaving me and our daughter behind. Weeks turned into months, and eventually a year later divorce papers arrived out of the blue. Daniel gave me everything, without any contesting. His lawyer said that he wanted Abby and I to have everything. It was as if he wanted to erase his existence from our lives. About a year after my divorce, Abby wanted to go away to summer camp. “Please, Mommy!” she said,

her eyes wide with excitement. “All my friends are going!” I gave in.